Lionel Messi’s father says he could never have dreamed of the success Barcelona’s five-time Ballon d’Or victor has enjoyed.
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“It was always my dream when I was a boy, though I had to leave at a very early age because of my situation and it didn’t happen”.
Three-time victor Cristiano Ronaldo came in second place behind the Argentine forward but he’s still a massive hit with fans across the globe.
Messi – also the Ballon d’Or victor in 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012 – received 41.33 percent of votes (third highest in history), while Ronaldo was easily second with 27.76 percent, and Neymar earned 7.86 percent.
In contrast, Messi – scorer of 48 club goals over the calendar year – helped Barca win the Primera Division, Copa del Rey and Champions League treble, plus the UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup.
Lionel Messi said it felt “incredible” after he was announced as the victor of the Ballon d’Or for a record fifth time.
Barcelona’s Luis Enrique was voted coach of the year while United States World Cup victor Carli Lloyd, who scored a hat-trick in the final against Japan, was named women’s player of the year. Now I’m next to them, but my goal isn’t just to match them on the field, but to be at their level of better.
More surprisingly, Spain captain Iker Casillas – the former Real Madrid goalkeeper who now plays for Portuguese club Porto – was among those who did not vote.
“And lastly, I want to thank football in general for everything it has brought me”.
The breakdown presented by Federation Internationale de Football Association also revealed tactical voting among the 165 national team coaches, 162 national team captains and 171 media representatives who cast votes. “Thank you”, Messi said after winning the award.
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The ESPN FC crew debate whether or not Lionel Messi is the best player ever after lifting his fifth Ballon d’Or trophy. And Messi’s shirt number 10 for Barcelona was added in red paint on the statue in Funchal, the home town of Real Madrid striker Ronaldo.
