Lionel Messi claimed a record sixth Ballon d'Or award on Monday, beating Liverpool's leading nominees and Cristiano Ronaldo to lift soccer's most prestigious individual trophy.
The Argentine, who won the Liga title with Barcelona but only managed third place in the Copa America with his country, added to his 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2015 trophies.
He finished above Dutchman Virgil van Dijk and Portugal's third-placed Ronaldo, who has won the award five times.
UNLUCKY: Liverpool's Virgil van Dijk missed out on the Ballon d'Or award. Picture: Jon Super/AP.
"I am very lucky, I am blessed. I hope I will continue for a long time," Messi told reporters. "I realize that I'm lucky even if one day it will be time to retire," added the 32-year-old.
"It will be tough but I still have some years ahead of me. Time flies so I will enjoy football and my family."
NOMINEE: Sadio Mane was also nominated for the award. Picture: Carl Recine/Reuters.
Senegal's Sadio Mane, who along with runner-up Van Dijk and fellow Liverpool nominees Alisson Becker of Brazil and Egypt's Mohamed Salah, helped the Merseyside club win the Champions League, came fourth in the poll of international journalists.
"It was amazing," said Van Dijk. "There are a couple of players like him (Messi) who are fantastic. I'm proud of what I've achieved with Liverpool and Holland. It's going to be tough (to win the award) when these guys are around."
Messi, whose stellar career was rewarded with another trophy, and Ronaldo, had between them won 10 consecutive Ballon d'Or awards until Croatia's Luka Modric prevailed in 2018.
CUP WINNER: Megan Rapinoe earned the women's Ballon d'Or award. Picture: Bernadett Szabo/Reuters.
The woman's Ballon d'Or went to USA captain Megan Rapinoe who led the United States to a record-extending fourth World Cup title in France this year to retain the trophy.
The 34-year-old midfielder, the standout player at the June-July tournament, succeeded Norway's Ada Hegerberg who did not take part in the World Cup.
Rapinoe was not present at the ceremony in the Theatre du Chatelet, where the show 'An American In Paris' is on.
"I'm so sad I can't make it tonight. It's absolutely incredible congrats to the other nominees. I can't believe I'm the one winning in this field, it's been an incredible year," Rapinoe said in a recorded message.
%%%twitter https://twitter.com/hashtag/MeganRapinoe?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MeganRapinoewins Women's #Ballond'Or #USA pic.twitter.com/sqnETdIPJo
— Stadium Astro (@stadiumastro)
"I want to thank my team mates and the U.S. federation."
Reuters