Ballon d’Or Frontrunner Lionel Messi Admits He Loves ‘Beautiful Recognition’ of Award

?Lionel Messi has admitted that he has always been delighted to win the Ballon d’Or, but was quick to acknowledge the influence that his teammates have had on his individual success. 

Messi has won the coveted award on five occasions – more than anyone else other than Cristiano Ronaldo – with his most recent triumph coming in 2015. 

La Pulga has again emerged as a ?frontrunner for the award, though he will face competition from the likes of ?Ronaldo and Virgil van Dijk – the latter of whom has never won the trophy.

Messi’s had a superb 2018/2019 season, scoring 51 goals for ?Barcelona as the Catalan giants stormed to the La Liga title.

After suffering from injuries at the start of the current campaign, the 32-year-old has continued to showcase his legendary skills – scoring eight goals in seven games so far.

This form has seen him emerge as the favourite to scoop this year’s award, though speaking to Otro (via Goal), Messi admitted that being recognised with a sixth Ballon d’Or would largely be down to the contributions of his teammates. 

“It is a beautiful recognition and perhaps the most special was the first,” he stated. “It is something that comes from the collective. Without having achieved all the collective successes that we had to achieve, I wouldn’t have been able to get these individual awards.”

Messi also reflected on past successes in the same interview. Recalling his 2010 win, the attacker fondly recollected winning the honour ahead of Barcelona teammates Xavi and Andrés Iniesta. 

“The image of the three nominees for the Ballon d’Or, it was special for us because of the friendship we have,” he said.

“Being so long in the same club, all three living practically the same during our whole careers and special for the club. For what it means, the truth, it was impressive.”

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