Lionel Messi has broken world football record to win his 6th Ballon d’Or.

The talented footballer was awarded the 2019 Ballon d’Or.

Messi was announced the winner of the football award at a star-studded ceremony in Paris on Monday evening.

El mejor de la historia pic.twitter.com/wSnCKg4Ym7

— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona_es) December 2, 2019

The FC Barcelona star was crowned the world’s best player for the first time since 2015 and on a record sixth occasion overall after seeing off strong competition from the likes of Liverpool’s Virgil Van Dijk.

Accepting the trophy, which he placed alongside his previous five, Messi said: “I would like to thank all the journalists to have voted for me, who wanted me to win this prize. Thank you so much to my colleagues from the club, and all my colleagues who have contributed a lot to this prize. It’s amazing.”

Yes, again. #GOATisCuler pic.twitter.com/RlyNqKURpN

— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) December 2, 2019

Later he added: “I am aware of how old I am and these moments are much more enjoyable because the moment of withdrawal [from the game] is approaching, and it is difficult. Time flies and increasingly pass faster.”

A little history on Messi

Messi’s take-over of the golden ball began in 2009. He went on to claim a treble under Pep Guardiola and then set off on an unprecedented run of four straight wins. The dream didn’t become a reality as it was interrupted by Cristiano Ronaldo.

Ronaldo, then at Real Madrid, ruled for two straight editions before Messi picked off from where he left off under the watch of Luis Enrique. He sealed another club triple crown in 2015 and was handed a record fifth golden ball.

The 2019 win

With regards to this victory, Liverpool’s Van Dijk clinched the Champions League, which was indeed achieved by edging Barça with an epic 4-3 aggregate comeback semi-final win at Anfield on the way.

Único en la historia#Messi, ganador del #BalondeOro por sexta vez ???????? pic.twitter.com/KEEcZg5a1p

— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona_es) December 2, 2019

However, Messi has, throughout 2018-2019 and what has been played off this current campaign, scored a total of 47 goals and 19 assists in 55 matches.

Other awards

Winning Ballon d’Or for the sixth time has no doubt seen Messi break world record but in terms of silverware, he also won La Liga, the Spanish Super Copa, the Pichichi for Spain’s top scorer, the golden boot for being Europe’s leading marksman and was the Champions League’s most successful scorer with 12 in total last term.

As a young player, he won the golden boot and had Nigeria’s Mikel Obi and Taiye Taiwo coming after him at an under 21 tournament several years ago.