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PARIS, Dec. 2-- Lionel Messi playing for Barcelona claimed the 2019 Ballon d'Or here on Monday, making the record of winning the award for the sixth time. Before the ceremony, both Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo had won the award for five times. This time, Messi edged out Virgil Van Dijk, who helped Liverpool to win the title of the Champions League last season. "It is 10 years since I won my first Ballon d'Or here in Paris and I remember coming here with my three brothers, I was 22 and it was all unthinkable for me what I was going through," Messi said at the ceremony. "Now 10 years on this is my sixth, in a very different time, very special in my personal life with my wife and three children." "I am aware of the age I have but I hope I have several years left to keep enjoying my football and doing this." Messi added. The Argentine had won the FIFA Men's Player of the Year award in September, and he was the top scorer in the Champions League last season with 12 goals before Barcelona were beaten by Liverpool in the semifinals. The 32-year-old striker also won the European Golden Shoe after scoring 36 goals, claimed La Liga title with Barcelona, and helped Argentina to get bronze at 2019 Copa America. Juventus' forward Cristiano Ronaldo had also been shortlisted for the award, but did not attend the ceremony. Megan Rapinoe won the Ballon d'Or for the best female player of the year. She led the United States to win the World Cup in France in July. | 
