Spain: Barcelona talisman Lionel Messi, on Tuesday, became the first player to win six Ballon d'Or titles.
Messi, who last won the Ballon d'Or in 2015, moved one ahead of Christiano Ronaldo after the pair had won five awards each.
The Argentine superstar finished fifth in last term's rankings and was in red-hot form for Barcelona, hitting 40 strikes this calendar year and registering a further 17 assists to boot.
Messi reflects on his footballing journey
- At the age of 22 Messi won his first Ballon d'Or in 2009-10, the year that Barcelona won the La Liga, Copa Del Rey, and UEFA Champions League treble.
- Messi won the award four years in a row between 2009 and 2012, and then again in 2015.
- The 32-year-old holds the joint-record for most wins of the award with five, along with long-time rival Cristiano Ronaldo who won the prestigious trophy in 2008, 2013, 2014, 2016, and 2017.
Meanwhile, Messi made his 700th appearance for Barcelona when they faced Borussia Dortmund in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday.
Interestingly, the Argentine striker became the first player to score against 34 different teams in UEFA Champions League when he scored one goal in 33rd minute as Barca thrashed Dortmund 3-1.
