Messi Takes Home Ballon d’Or 2015; Golden Ball

By Francisco Romero

The Argentinian Lionel Messi leaves no doubt that he is still the best soccer player in the world.

On Monday he was awarded his fifth FIFA Golden Ball. Cristiano Ronald and teammate Neymar were the other two finalists.

“There are a lot of emotions going through my mind. Winning this award is always special. I’d gone two years without collecting it, looking on as it went to someone else, and now it’s my turn again. It’s not easy to win five. It’s always good to stay on top,” said Messi after receiving the award.

On top he stayed, throughout last year as he along with his teammates accomplished a great year.

Messi was a key figure in Barcelona’s success during in 2015: Winning La Liga, the Copa del Rey, the UEFA Champions League, the UEFA Super Cup and the FIFA Club World Cup.

Messi’s 48 goals in all competitions over the course of the calendar year, during the 2014-15 season he was La Liga’s second-highest scorer (43 goals) and leading assist provider (21)

“Being here is something very special, it is something very important,” said Messi. “Every year I try to play at the same level or better, that is what we work for, to be better each year. Last year we almost accomplished every thing, it was a great year for us, it was a spectacular year.”

When asked about preferring the five Golden Balls or a World Cup Championship, Messi just chuckled and answered the following: “Whoever asked that is mean (laughing)! Obviously a World Cup, for any player winning a World Cup is the greatest. I have always said that I prefer team titles rather than individual titles.”

Messi, who is 28 years old, won his first Golden Ball in 2009. Cristiano Ronaldo had won the Golden Ball the last two years.