The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Messi joined FC Barcelona at the age of 13 and made his first team debut at 17
Browsing: Ballon d’Or
The Real Madrid star enjoyed a stellar 12 months, winning both the Champions League and Euro 2016
Ronaldo also won the Ballon d’Or in December, with both honours recognition for success in the Champions League with Real and Euro 2016 with Portugal
The Real Madrid and Portugal forward was rewarded for his form over the past 12 months, in which he lifted the Champions League and Euro 2016 titles for club and country, by being crowned the winner ahead of five-time champ Messi
Ronaldo is widely-expected to win the Ballon d’Or after guiding both his club and country to major silverware in the last 12 months
Following the split with the French publication, the ceremony, which will be held in Zurich on January 9, has been renamed: “The Best FIFA Football Awards”
Messi, 28, had finished behind long-time rival, Cristiano Ronaldo, in both 2013 and 2014, but was a clear winner of FIFA’s top individual honour for a fifth time in his career
Andres Iniesta, Xavi, Franck Ribery and Manuel Neuer have been among the challengers over the past five years, but Messi and Ronaldo have finished either first or second in the last four editions
“I don’t care if Messi wins the Ballon d’Or. I know that it is not in my hands whether I win this award or not. It all depends on others,” Ronaldo told Kicker
Ronaldo was favourite even before the ceremony
It is the third time that Ronaldo has claimed the prize, presented to the leading league goal scorer in Europe’s top divisions, having previously won in 2008 and 2011