FIFA Ballon d'Or 2015 - Lionel Messi Winner
FIFA Ballon d'Or 2015 - Lionel Messi Winner
That goal was a contender for the Puskas Award, which is given to mark the previous year’s golden goal, but on this occasion, Messi had to settle for minor honours. Wendell Lira, a Brazilian forward, won it for his spectacular overhead kick for Goianesia.
Still, he arrived in Zurich on Monday at the peak of his powers, which was a stark contrast to 12 months ago when he was sullen amid intense speculation that all was not well behind the scenes at the Nou Camp after Messi had been dropped for a game against Real Sociedad.
His numbers since, though, have been stunning, with 53 appearances for Barcelona over the calendar year yielding 48 goals and 23 assists. Cristiano Ronaldo, his great foe, may have outscored him – 54 in 52 games for Real Madrid – but Messi’s form has been on another level. Those figures would have been even greater had a hamstring injury not cost him two months.
‘It is a very special moment for me to be back on this stage having watched Cristiano (Ronaldo) win it for the last two years,’ said Messi, who was clearly overcome when presented with the award in Zurich’s Kongresshaus.
FA Ballon d'Or 2015 - Lionel Messi Winner
Lionel messi wins FIFA Ballon d'Or 2015 and beat neymar
To put this into context, luminaries such as Zinedine Zidane, Ronaldinho and Luis Figo only won the Ballon d’Or once and it is difficult to imagine a time in the future when his figure is eclipsed. Certainly, his compatriot Ezequiel Lavazzi, the Paris Saint-Germain forward, thinks that will be impossible as he envisages more success for Messi
overall FIFA Ballon d'Or records in the history
Lionel Messi 5
Cristiano Ronaldo 3
Marco van Basten 3
Michel Platini 3
Johan Cruyff 3