The Ballon d’Or is the most prestigious award in world football.
In recent years it has been dominated by Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo – who have shared the top individual prize between them since 2008.
As both players continue to tussle for the top accolade, Messi leads the way with five wins – more than any other player in history – although it could soon be matched by Ronaldo.
Widely considered as one of the greatest players of all time, the Argentine has brought football to a new level with his quick feet and clinical finishing ability.
The Barcelona superstar first won the Ballon d’Or in 2009, before it merged with FIFA’s World Player of the Year award, and clinched it every year until 2012 when his grip on the award was broken by Ronaldo.
However, Messi’s crowning moment came in 2015, when he capped off a famous tremble winning season with Barcelona to collect a fifth award – scoring 52 goals for club and country across the calendar year.
Now 30, the maestro from Rosario has netted 524 goals in 605 matches since breaking on to the scene for the Catalan giants back in October 2004.
His mantelpiece speaks for itself carrying eight La Liga titles, four Champions Leagues, four Copa Del Reys, three Club World Cups and seven Spanish Super Cups.
Lionel Messi with the Champions League trophy in 2015
Octo Finissimo Automatic A Third World Record for Bulgari
Bulgari is once again the spotlight, proudly presenting its third successive world record.
The Octo Finissimo Automatic is the slimmest ultra-thin self-winding watch on the market to date.
After introducing its Tourbillon in 2014 and the Minute Repeater in 2016, the Maison unveils its new creation featuring a total thickness of just 5.15mm, while its self-winding movement is just 2.23mm thick for a 40mm diameter.
The iconic Octo is once again pushing the boundaries of watchmaking feasibility.
