Ballon d'Or, Messi wins: it is the sixth success, passed Cristiano Ronaldo. "I never stopped dreaming"

Messi gets off Ronaldo

So we return to the era of the Messi-Ronaldo duopoly, even if the Portuguese witnessed the triumph of the rival historian from afar. Sixth success for "La Pulce" (2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015), which surpasses the Juventus striker, stopped at five titles and eleven podium finishes: Messi goes up to twelve entries in the first three positions, with five second places (2008, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017) and a third (2007). The season of Messi, champion of Spain with Barcelona, ​​from the realization point of view was amazing as usual: 36 goals in 34 Liga games, 3 in 5 of the King's Cup, 12 in 10 Champions League matches. His exploit in the semi-final first leg against Liverpool remains one of the most incredible personal performances of the last few years, yet the most ardent critics of a trophy that is gradually losing his status would have preferred a Reds player, capable in the return match of overturn an apparently impossible 3-0 to reassemble.

Messi: "I never stopped dreaming"

"Yesterday was the tenth anniversary of my first Ballon d'Or. I was 22 and it was unthinkable for me to arrive today to win the sixth, in a totally different moment of my life. But I never stopped dreaming, being the one who are, to improve every day ". These are the first words of Lionel Messi, from the stage of the "Theater du Chatelet". "I try to enjoy football, the one I love – he added – I am aware of the age I have, time flies and for this reason we must enjoy this moment". Messi thanks journalists and teammates, to Barca and the national team: "They made me spend a great year, beyond the games or competitions won or lost, you are part of this award". "I am happy with the moment I am living but I want to improve myself every year: the individual awards are important but they are always secondary compared to the team ones, every year I prepare myself to fight for everything", he adds, showing all six Golden Balls together conquered.

de Ligt best young man

The second edition of the Kopa Trophy goes to Matthijs De Ligt, the recognition established by "France Football" for the best under 21 of the year. Moise Kean was also in the race. "I am really happy to be here – the words on the stage of the 20-year-old Dutch Central – It is a great honor to be in the midst of all these fantastic players, I thank Ajax and my former comrades who gave me a lot, and my companions at Juve for what they are giving me ". De Ligt succeeds in Kylian Mbappe's roll of honor.

Alisson wins the Yashin award: best goalkeeper

Alisson received the Yashin Trophy as the best goalkeeper of the year. Liverpool's Brazilian goalkeeper experienced an incredible year, winning the Champions League with the Reds and the America's Cup with Selecao. He preceded Marc-Andre Ter Stegen del Barcellona and his compatriot Ederson of Manchester City. Handanovic and Szczsesny were also in contention.

Rapinoe wins the Golden Ball for women

Megan Rapinoe is the winner of the "Women's Golden Ball". Star of the National Stars and Stripes that won the French World Cup, succeeds Ada Hegerberg.

The final classification of the Ballon d'Or

1. Lionel Messi (Argentina, Barcelona)
2. Virgil Van Dijk (Holland, Liverpool)
3. Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal, Juventus)
4. Sadio Mane (Senegal, Liverpool)
5. Mohamed Salah (Egypt, Liverpool)
6. Kylian Mbappe (France, Paris Saint Germain)
7. Alisson Becker (Brazil, Liverpool)
8. Robert Lewandowski (Poland, Bayern Munich)
9. Bernardo Silva (Portugal, Manchester City)
10. Riyad Mahrez (Algeria, Manchester City)
11. Frenkie de Jong (Netherlands, Ajax / Barcelona)
12. Raheem Sterling (England, Manchester City)
13. Eden Hazard (Belgium, Chelsea / Real Madrid)
14. Kevin De Bruyne (Belgium, Manchester City)
15. Matthijs de Ligt (Netherlands, Ajax / Juventus)
16. Sergio Aguero (Argentina, Manchester City)
17. Roberto Firmino (Brazil, Liverpool)
18. Antoine Griezmann (France, Atletico Madrid / Barcelona)
19. Trent Alexander-Arnold (England, Liverpool)
20. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Gabon, Arsenal)
20. Dusan Tadic (Serbia, Ajax)
22. Heung-min Son (South Korea, Tottenham)
23. Hugo Lloris (France, Tottenham)
24. Marc-Andre ter Stegen (Germany, Barcelona)
24. Kalidou Koulibaly (Senegal, Naples)
26. Karim Benzema (France, Real Madrid)
26. Georginio Wijnaldum (Holland, Liverpool)
28. Donny van de Beek (Netherlands, Ajax)
28. Joao Felix (Portugal, Benfica / Atletico Madrid) 28. Marquinhos (Brazil, Paris Saint-Germain)

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