PARIS, Dec 3: Lionel Messi claimed a record sixth Ballon d’Or award on Monday, beating Liverpool’s leading nominees and Cristiano Ronaldo to lift soccer’s most prestigious individual trophy.

PORTUGAL, Sept 18: Juventus forward Cristiano Ronaldo said he deserves to end his soccer career with more Ballon d’Or awards than Barcelona counterpart Lionel Messi and hopes to establish himself as the greatest player of all time.

MADRID, Dec 5: Lionel Messi’s fifth-place finish in this year’s Ballon d’Or vote was absurd, Barcelona coach Ernesto Valverde said of the Spanish champions’ Argentina forward on Tuesday.