Lionel Messi ends Cristiano’s winning run, grabs Ballon d’Or for fifth time

Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu has little doubt Lionel Messi will return to Zurich in the years to come to collect another FIFA Ballon d’Or after winning the trophy for the fifth time in his career on Monday.

FC Barcelona’s Lionel Messi of Argentina (R) poses with Houston Dash’s Carli Lloyd of the US with their World Player of the Year awards during the FIFA Ballon d’Or 2015 ceremony in Zurich, Switzerland, January 11, 2016.

Not that many needs much convincing.

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.

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.

However, speaking on stage after winning his award as reported by the Independent, Messi took the opportunity to hit out at the media for doubting Barcelona, and to claim that he has plans to stay there until he retires.

“Luis (Suarez) deserves to be here because he is an extraordinary player and he has helped us a lot”, Messi said.

As evidenced by my previous vote for Franck Ribery in 2013 , one could score a boatload of goals, but if his team comes away empty handed at the end of the day, it will go against him.

Former American World Cup star Thomas Dooley also did not select Messi as his top pick, and opted instead to select his rival Cristiano Ronaldo.

Messi received 41.33% of all votes, while Ronaldo and Neymar got 27.76% and 7.86% respectively.

“On our part, there has always been admiration and respect”.

She had guided the USA to women’s World Cup glory in Canada last summer, beating Japan 5-2 in the final.