Barcelona’s Lionel Messi wins Ballon d’Or for the sixth time
03 December 2019
Barcelona’s Lionel Messi grabbed the Ballon d’Or for the sixth time in his glittering career on Monday evening.
Argentine Lionel Messi beat Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk and Juventus’ Cristiano Ronaldo to the coveted award and lifted the trophy during a ceremony at the Theatre du Chatelet in Paris. The 32-year-old has become the first player to win the Ballon d'Or award for the sixth time.
Ten years ago I received my first Ballon d'Or, guided by my three brothers. Today I receive my sixth, guided by my wife and children.
Lionel Messi, who picked up the trophy in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2015, won the La Liga title with Barcelona this year and led Argentina to third place in the Copa America this summer.
In the 701 games he has played for the Blaugranas, Messi has scored 614 goals and provided 237 assists. The Argentine has won 34 trophies in his stunning career at the club.
Last year's winner Real Madrid and Croatia midfielder Luka Modric broke Messi and Ronaldo’s ten-year duopoly of the trophy as the two legends dominated the award in the last decade with five wins apiece. Cristiano Ronaldo is now one victory behind Messi, winning the Ballon d’Or 5 times in 2008, 2013, 2014, 2016, and 2017.