Watch: Here’s why Lionel Messi won his fifth Ballon d’Or
Lionel Messi was announced as the winner of the Ballon d’Or on Monday. It is the fifth time he has been named FIFA’s Player of the Year.
In 2015, the Barcelona forward guided his club to Champions League, La Liga and Copa del Rey titles. During the 2014–15 season, he scored 58 goals for his club.
No other player has won the Ballon d'Or more than three times, and it doesn’t take long to see why. Last year alone, Messi racked up more jaw-dropping plays than most world-class players have in their careers. Just take a look.
He can humiliate any defender
This ankle-breaking dribble on Bayern Munich defender Jerome Boateng and ensuing chip goal in the UEFA Champions League semifinal was voted FIFA’s goal of the year for 2015.
He can cut his way through any number of defenders
[youtube:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bOX2QpfMkq4]
Messi opened the scoring in the 2015 Copa del Rey final with this incredible run.
He’s even treated like a god by opponents
He comes through in the clutch
Lionel Messi 0:1 | Atletico Madrid - Barcelona...
by footballTV
Leo’s precise strike into the bottom corner was the lone goal in Barcelona’s 1–0 defeat of Atletico Madrid that secured the La Liga title.
He even makes practice a must-see event
[youtube:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DCCkIdDXzYA]
He just toys with keepers on penalty attempts
He’s automatic on free kicks
He seems to share a brain with Neymar
He can make a perfect one-touch volley pass
(Sure, Suarez was offside, but still.)
