The blaugrana striker is recognised as the top footballer in 2015 based on his performance with FC Barcelona and the Argentina national team
Four-time winner
This year is the eighth edition of The Goal 50 and Messi has won the most so far, taking home the prize in 2009, 2011, 2013 and, now, in 2015. Cristiano Ronaldo has three and Wesley Sneijder has one.
FC Barcelona striker Lionel Messi has a new award to add to his trophy case. The Argentine has been proclaimed winner of this years Goal 50, an annual award that recognises the best player in the world. The criteria of the editors in chief and correspondents of the various editions of Goal are based on players’ contributions to world soccer and their success for their clubs and national teams.
Messi has won the award for being considered a key piece of Barça’s treble and for leading Argentina, runners-up in the 2015 Copa America.
“I always say that, for me, the important awards are the ones achieved collectively,” Messi said. “When the season ends, the fulfilment of goals is what really matters. But it is also true that it’s nice to receive individual recognition like this. I am very grateful and very happy,” he added.
Messi received the award from GOAL.com after what he described was “a very complete year in which we achieved our goals.”