Real Madrid defender Marcelo said he wanted team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo to win the Ballon d’Or, but believes it is just a matter of time before Neymar takes out the coveted award.
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Argentine football star Lionel Messi Monday won 2015 FIFA Ballon d’Or for the best player in the world for the unprecedented fifth time.
“It’s a very special moment for me, winning another Ballon d’Or after being in the audience watching Cristiano win the last two years”.
“It is incredible that it’s my fifth”.
“It has been a dream ever since I started with the national team”.
Messi gave his votes to Barcelona team mates Luis Suarez, Neymar and Andres Iniesta. You grow, you learn new things.
Messi has scored 51 goals in 62 matches in 2015, one goal per 101 minutes. He averaged a goal every 101 minutes and was directly involved in 49 goals in La Liga, which was the joint most across the top five European leagues in 2015 with runner-up Ronaldo.
His victory continued the Messi-Ronaldo duopoly of the award since 2007.
This year’s fair play prize, presented by ex-Leeds and South Africa captain Lucas Radebe, was awarded to all football clubs and organizations supporting refugees. The media in both Spain and England have previously speculated that Messi is thinking of leaving Barcelona, with Manchester City and Chelsea reportedly eager to sign him.
Messi helped Barcelona win a Spanish league, cup and Champions League treble plus the Club World Cup and also led Argentina to the Copa America final, where they lost to Chile.
Sampson guided his side to third place at last summer’s World Cup, which was won by Ellis’ team.
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On the women’s side, United States and Houston Dash midfielder Carli Lloyd, who scored a hat-trick in the World Cup final, won the award.
