Barcelona superstar Messi is targeting an unprecedented fifth Ballon d’Or award, with the Argentine heavily favoured to reclaim the prize from three-time victor Cristiano Ronaldo.
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Messi said just being back at the event was enough for him and that he did not mind who won. Obviously I would [rather] win the World Cup.
Messi’s award puts the icing on the cake of what was an incredible year for he and his club side, Barcelona, who won five major titles, including the UEFA Champions League.
However, whilst others may use his record with Argentina to doubt his candidacy as the best player ever, in Barcelona 2015 enshrined his legacy as the greatest. “It’s hard to say”, Messi said while laughing.
The obvious question was also asked – what did Messi feel about the rivalry between him and Ronaldo?
Despite his no-show in Zurich, Enrique used his post-match press conference to push the case for Messi to pick up his fifth Player of the Year honour.
“You never know what might end up happening, but it would be a surprise and a huge injustice if Messi was not to win the Ballon d’Or”, the former soccer star declared, via ESPN. His benching for a 1-0 defeat to Real Sociedad the most ignominious start to what would turn out to be the second most successful in Barca’s 116-year history. “I am a happy person”.
“His left foot is really good”.
Directly involved in 49 goals in La Liga – 34 scored and 15 assists – which was the joint-most with Ronaldo in 2015 across the top five European leagues. I’ve always said the team achievements are more important than individual ones.
And now Carlos Puyol, who previously captained Barcelona while Messi played for them over a decade, has come out and insisted that if he does not claim the accolade then it is a complete travesty.
Neymar finally got his goal seven minutes from time when Messi cleverly let Suarez’s cross roll across the area knowing he was in an offside position and Neymar took his time before blasting the ball into the roof of the net for his 18th goal of the season.
“I hope to be back, I hope that my team goes on winning and that I may be back another time”.
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Granada was more energized offensively in the second half but allowed Messi to score his third goal in the 58th minute on a play set up by Neymar, whose shot at close range deflected off Fernandez and the goalpost and set up his teammate for a routine strike.
