The FC Barcelona striker offers up his unprecedented five trophies (2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2015) that he won as the best player in the world
The fans reply with a flag bearing the words ‘Congratulations Messi’ at Camp Nou before the game against Athletic
The Camp Nou crowd rise to their feet to acclaim the man himself with a giant flag bearing the world ‘Congratulations Messi’ – in homage to Lionel Messi, the best player in the world and his fifth Ballon d’Or award recently claimed in Zurich, Switzerland.
That was the setting on Sunday night, just moments prior to kick off of FC Barcelona’s match against Athletic Club.
If anyone had a sense of déjà vu, it would have been understandable. Messi was already the most decorated player in the history of the award when he won his fourth Ballon d’Or three years ago.
Now, at just 28 years of age, Messi has added another, putting some distance between himself and the handful of others who have won the award three times.
This is the fifth such time that Messi has had the honour of presenting the trophy to the fans at Camp Nou.
And they hope it won’t be the last.
INTERACTIVE BALLON D’OR SPECIAL
