Barcelona and star player Lionel Messi triumphed at the seventh edition of the Globe Soccer Awards in Dubai, bagging the prizes for best team and best player. The captain walked away with the best player award during the gala night held as part of the Dubai International Sports Conference at the Madinat Jumeirah. Messi had travelled from Argentina to be a part of the star-studded ceremony.
The La Liga giants, who won a historic treble last season, were named Best Club of the Year while chief Josep Maria Bartomeu was awarded the Best President of the Year accolade.
The Argentina forward, who has endured a spell on the sidelines this season, notched 58 goals as Barca enjoyed a memorable treble-winning campaign last season.
‘It’s been an extraordinary year’, Messi said. “[It’s] difficult to choose one moment as we were winning wherever we played. It has been a fabulous year for me and for the entire club.”
Barcelona, who were also awarded the Best Media Attraction in Football award in Dubai, won five titles in 2015, the Spanish league title, the Copa del Rey, Champions League, European Super Cup and the World Club Cup. Only the Spanish Super Cup eluded them with a loss to Athletic Bilbao.
“It’s very nice to receive these awards, but I always say that the team makes it possible,” he said.
Belgian coach Marc Wilmots was named best manager while Benfica took the award for best club academy.
Italy’s Andrea Pirlo and England’s Frank Lampard were lauded for their long careers.
