Messi was involved in 63 goals in total in the past 12 months for both club and country, including 46 goals and 17 assists as the playmaker helped Barca to retain their La Liga crown.
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“I would like to thank all of the journalists who voted for me and wanted me to have this prize,” said Messi after picking up the award in Paris on Monday night alongside his two sons and wife.
“Thank you so much to my colleagues who have actually contributed a lot to this prize. It is amazing, thank you so much.”
I hope to continue for a long time. I realise that I am very lucky, even if, one day, retirement will ring. It will be difficult. But I still have beautiful years ahead of me. Time goes very quickly, so I want to enjoy football and my family.
Lionel Messi
Messi was presented with the gong by 2018 winner Luka Modric and that means as well as this year, the Argentina international has also won the Ballon d’Or in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2015.
1 – Lionel Messi was involved in 63 goals in 2019 for @FCBarcelona and @Argentina (46 goals and 17 assists), averaging 1’17 per game (GP54). Gold. #BallonDor #BallonDor2019 pic.twitter.com/DEWphX6fKW
— OptaJose (@OptaJose) December 2, 2019
Becoming a legend in your own life is a special achievement. Doing so while still playing is something else. Managing to accomplish it while still being the best player on the planet? That takes Lionel Messi.
The Barcelona forward won his first award of the season before he had even started a game – collecting the FIFA Best trophy back in late September. On Monday evening in Paris, Messi walked away with the Ballon d’Or for a record sixth time in his extraordinary career.
