BARCELONA, Nov 7: Barcelona defender Gerard Pique feels club-mate Lionel Messi should have been awarded the World Footballer of the Year title each season since 2009.

Messi on Sunday completed his 500th goal for the Catalan football powerhouse Barcelona as they defeated Sevilla 2-1 in La Liga.

Messi has bagged the coveted Ballon d’Or award in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2015 — his tally is highest in world football.

"If the Ballon d'Or were given to the best player in the world. Leo would have won it every year since 2009. He's on another level," Pique wrote in Spanish on Twitter.

 
• barcelona
 
• gerard pique
 
• lionel messi
 
• ballon d’or