Barcelona and Argentina star Messi is the overwhelming favourite to add a fifth world player of the year crown to his collection at the FIFA Ballon d’Or ceremony in Zurich later on Monday.
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Former Manchester United player Paul Pogba impressed fans with his form for Juventus to make the side for the first time while the Real Madrid trio of Sergio Ramos, James Rodriguez and Cristiano Ronaldo completed the selection.
When Messi won the award for the fourth time in 2012, he eclipsed the likes of Johan Cruyff, Marco van Basten and Michel Platini who each won the award three times during their glittering careers.
Barcelona won five trophies during 2015, which included La Liga, the Champions League, the Copa del Rey, the UEFA Super Cup and the Club World Cup.
“We used to say that a player who got 23 to 25 goals in a season was an incredible striker, but Messi does that in three months”.
By comparison, it was a turbulent season for Ronaldo, the World Player of the Year in 2008, 2013 and 2014, and Real Madrid as they played second fiddle to their arch rivals despite a contribution of 54 goals in 52 games from the Portuguese forward.
“Florenzi is a player with a spectacular shot, but for me Messi’s has more merit”.
The Catalan club can sweep the men’s honors with Luis Enrique heading the coaches’ shortlist after becoming European champion and winning the Spanish league and cup, European Super Cup and Club World Cup.
For the women, Jill Ellis is seemingly the outstanding candidate after overcoming plenty of doubters to lead the U.S.to its first World Cup crown since 1999.
Messi scored twice inside the opening 15 minutes at the Nou Camp, before securing his hat-trick just shy of the hour mark. Aside from that, he deserves it. They won the treble once again.
With the teams tied at one near the end of the first half, Barcelona was awarded a free kick about 17 yards outside the box, just to the right of the goal.
As so often the case has been in recent years, it looks like being a straight shootout between Messi and CR7, with the third nominee left trailing in their wake.
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The top 3 contender for this years Ballon d’Or is Messi, Ronaldo and Neymar and all 3 are capable but its Messi who has the highest chance of winning this trophy.
