Lionel Messi’s golden year: Highlights from a remarkable 2015

Andy West 22:56 11/01/2016
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  • Best in the world: Lionel Messi.

    Barcelona and Argentina forward Lionel Messi has won FIFA’s Ballon d’Or for a fifth time.

    The Barcelona forward reclaimed the biggest individual accolade in world football at a lavish ceremony in Zurich on Monday, beating Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo, the three-time winner he has been runner-up behind for the last two years.

    In a calendar year in which the Catalan outfit claimed five titles, here’s a look at some of Messi’s highlights from an impressive 2015.

    Jan 4 – A bad start to the year as Messi is left out of the starting eleven for a game at Real Sociedad after missing the preparations to attend the birth of his second child. He comes on at half-time but Barca lose 1-0.

    Jan 5 – Messi skips an open training session for local children with a mysterious illness amid rumours that he is furious with boss Luis Enrique and wants to leave Barcelona.

    Jan 11 – Playing in a new right wing role, Messi is brilliant in a clash with Atletico Madrid which had been billed as make or break for Enrique’s tenure. Barca win 3-1 and the front three of Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar all score in the same game for the first time.

    Jan 18 – The discord of previous weeks is further forgotten as Messi blasts a superb hat-trick in a 4-0 thrashing of Deportivo La Coruna.

    Messi celebrates after scoring his third goal against Deportivo.

    Messi celebrates after scoring his third goal against Deportivo.

    Feb 8 – In further confirmation that Barca have found their way following a rocky winter, Messi scores one and is credited with two assists in a sensational team performance to win 5-2 at Athletic Bilbao.

    Mar 18 – After missing a penalty in the first leg, Messi makes amends by rounding off a mesmerising personal performance with a superb assist for Ivan Rakitic as Barca defeat Manchester City in the Champions League.

    May 6 – In the first leg of Barca’s Champions League semi-final clash with Bayern Munich, Messi effectively wins the tie singlehandedly by scoring twice and setting up Neymar for the third. Messi’s second goal, where he leaves Jerome Boateng on the ground, instantly becomes a Champions League classic.

    May 17 – Messi scores a second-half winner at Atletico Madrid to seal the La Liga title for Barca.

    Messi and teammates celebrate winning the La Liga title.

    Messi and teammates celebrate winning the La Liga title.

    May 30 – Another sensational goal – and another trophy – as Messi beats four Athletic Bilbao defenders
    before firing home to send his team on their way to victory in the Copa del Rey final.

    June 6 – Barca complete their sensational treble by beating Juventus 3-1 in the Champions League final. The crucial second goal comes when Messi’s shot is saved and Suarez converts the rebound.

    July 4 – Messi helps Argentina reach the Copa America final, but the tournament ends in disappointment as hosts Chile win after a penalty shoot-out.

    Messi walks with his second place medal after losing to Chile in the Copa America final.

    Messi walks with his second place medal after losing to Chile in the Copa America final.

    Aug 11 – Back with Barca, Messi claims another title, scoring twice in an eventful 5-4 UEFA Super Cup victory over Sevilla.

    Sept 26 – Suffers a knee injury in the opening stages of a home win over Las Palmas, and faces up to two months on the sidelines.

    Nov 21 – Returns to action as a substitute in Barca’s stunning 4-0 Clasico victory at Real Madrid.

    Dec 20 – A fifth trophy of the calendar year for Barca, with Messi scoring in a 3-0 victory over River Plate in the FIFA Club World Cup final.

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