Lionel Messi has been crowned the FIFA ‘The Best’ Player of the Year for the seventh time in 14 years, making him the most decorated player in the history of the award.
The Barcelona superstar was presented with the award at the FIFA Best Awards ceremony in Milan on Monday night, where he beat off competition from Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk and Juventus forward Cristiano Ronaldo.
Messi, 32, has now won the award seven times, more than any other player in the history of the award. He first won the award in 2009 and has since won it in 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2019 and now 2020.
The Argentine forward has been in sensational form this season, scoring 25 goals and providing 21 assists in all competitions for Barcelona. He has also been instrumental in helping the Catalan club to the top of the La Liga table, where they currently sit four points clear of second-placed Real Madrid.
Messi’s performances this season have been so impressive that he has been widely tipped to win the Ballon d’Or, which is awarded to the best player in the world each year.
The award is voted for by a panel of journalists, coaches and captains from around the world, and Messi’s victory is a testament to his enduring quality and consistency over the years.
Speaking after receiving the award, Messi said: “I am very happy to receive this award. It is a great honour and I am very proud to be the most decorated player in the history of the award.
“I would like to thank all my teammates, coaches and everyone at Barcelona for their support over the years. Without them, none of this would have been possible.”
Messi’s success is a testament to his hard work and dedication over the years, and he is widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time.
He has won 10 La Liga titles, four Champions League titles and six Copa del Rey titles with Barcelona, as well as numerous individual awards.
Messi’s success is also a testament to the quality of the Barcelona team, which has been one of the most successful teams in Europe over the past decade.
The Argentine forward has been the driving force behind Barcelona’s success, and his latest award is a fitting reward for his outstanding performances over the years.
