So, Messi managed to collect yet another Ballon d’Or last night and he made history in the process. He is now recognised by FIFA as the greatest footballer of all time (unofficially that is still up for debate…). Messi has won the prestigious award a total of five times.
‘The great thing about Messi is that he doesn’t really believe he’s Messi’ wrote the Uruguayan writer Eduardo Galeano. ‘And long may it stay that way because that allows him to play with all the joy of a kid just playing in the street.’
Here is a selection of some images from last night’s glittering ceremony. As you will see, there are some pretty interesting outfits (including a leather suit as worn by Samuel Eto’o).