“Team awards are more important than individual ones”, he said, before adding that the World Cup “is every player’s objective, it’s really the pinnacle”.
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Neymar, a first-time FIFA Ballon d’Or finalist, watched Messi collect the award for a fifth tiime on Monday night, while Ronaldo has previously lifted the prestigious trophy on three occasions.
Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi dreams of finishing his career back in his homeland of Argentina.
“I’ve spoken to my players but nothing happened the other day that can’t happen again, I’ve seen this kind of game many times in the past”.
While Portugal hitman Ronaldo scored more goals than Messi during 2015, netting 54 for Madrid, it was not enough for his side to win any silverware.
But speaking to FIFA.com, Messi revealed that the lure of a return home – where his boyhood club was Newell’s Old Boys – still holds considerable appeal.
Messi played a very critical role in helping Barcelona win in the highly technical La Liga, the Copa del Rey and the highly prestigious Champions League.
And, quoted by as.com, Messi said: “Luis deserves to be here because he is an extraordinary player and he has helped us a lot”.
“We have always had a good relationship”, said Messi about his rivalry with Ronaldo.
Messi – the Ballon d’Or victor in 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012 as well – secured 41.33 per cent of the vote this time, with Ronaldo getting 27.76 per cent and Neymar 7.86 per cent. “On our part, there has always been admiration and respect”.
O’Neill put Ronaldo in third spot behind Messi and the Belgian star with Keane going for Messi as his number two and Neymar as number three.
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United States midfielder Carli Lloyd, who scored a hat-trick in the World Cup final, won the women’s award. She had guided the U.S.to women’s World Cup glory in Canada last summer, beating Japan 5-2 in the final.
