Lionel Messi wins The Goal 50

The Argentine has dethroned Real Madrid rival Cristiano Ronaldo, who finished second, withMessi's team-mates Luis Suarez and Neymarcoming home third and fourth, respectivelyLionelMessi has won the Goal 50 for a record fourthtime, beating previous title-holder Cristiano Ronaldo to top spot.The 28-year-

oldforward,who also claimed the
trophy in 2009, 2011 and 2013, was rewarded for
inspiring Barcelona to a historic treble triumph last
season, as well as leading Argentina to the final of
the Copa America. Ronaldo, who was bidding for a fourth Goal 50
crown after becoming Real Madrid's all-time
record goalscorer, finished second, just ahead of
Messi's Barca team-mates, Luis Suarez and
Neymar.
"I always say that, for me, the most important
awards are collective ones, the ones that
recognise us as the best at the end of the
season," Messi told Goal.
"But I am also happy when I receive individual
awards like this one. I am very grateful. Thank
you."
Chelsea winger Eden Hazard came home fifth,
with Bayern Munich duo Thomas Muller and
Arturo Vidal ranking sixth and seventh,
respectively.
Boca Juniors striker Carlos Tevez was eighth, just
ahead of former Juventus team-mate Paul Pogba,
with Manchester City ace Kevin De Bruyne
completing the top 10.
The Goal 50 rounds off a remarkable 12 months
for Messi, whose return to his very best form at
the turn of the year coincided with Barca's
sensational charge towards the treble.
The Rosario native turned in one of the great
individual displays in European Cup history in the
first leg of his club's Champions League semi-
final win over Bayern Munich and netted arguably
the goal of 2015 with a sensational solo effort in
the Copa del Rey final defeat of Athletic Bilbao.
The Goal 50 is an annual award that both
recognises and ranks the world's 50 best
footballers of the past 12 months.
Chief editors and correspondents from Goal's 37
editions around the world all cast their votes, with
candidates judged on their level of consistency
over the previous year of action, their big-game
performances, footballing legacy and the success
of their teams at both club and international leve