Bhubaneswar: Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and Argentina national team striker Lionel Messi received the Ballon d’Or (“Golden Ball”) award as the best European footballer of the year for the seventh time in his career.
The awards ceremony took place on Monday at Theatre du Chatelet in Paris.
PSG defender Sergio Ramos braced up his teammate Messi as he won the award for the seventh time in his career.
“Today I’m here in Paris. I am very happy, really very happy, I really want to continue to fight and reach new objectives. I don’t know how many more years but I am really enjoying myself. I thank my team-mates at Barça, Paris & Argentina,” Messi addressed after receiving the award.
The 34-year-old Messi led Argentina to the Copa America title in July after losing in four major international finals. The Argentine also complimented Robert Lewandowski for his brilliant performance. “Robert, you deserve your Ballon D’Or. Last year, everyone was in agreement to say that you were the big winner of this award,” said Messi.
