However, Messi’s unique abilities earned him the crown ahead of his longtime rival Cristiano Ronaldo who’s also worthy of the honour.
Compared to the Portuguese, Lionel Messi is an all-round player, in fact he’s the best playmaker to ever grace the pitch in the last two and a half decades.
A prolific goalscorer and a creative playmaker, Messi has scored 724 goals, won a record six Ballon d’Or and six European golden shoe. The 32-year-old is the all-time highest goalscorer with highest number of assists in the La Liga.
The Argentine’s record of 91 goals in a single year, is yet to be broken by anyone and pundits predict it’s unlikely to be broken by any player, not even his rival Ronaaldo.
Cristiano on the other hand have had quite an incredible goalscoring record with a total of 743 goals. He one ballon d’Or short of Messi’s incredible six and one Champions League title ahead of Messi’s four.
He has has gotten his hands on an International trophy, one regret Messi still has in his illustrious career.