Lionel Messi - Seven years at the top of world football

On 6 December 2009, Messi received his first ever Ballon d'Or in Paris, which was curiously the last time that 'France Football' awarded it alone.

The Argentinian had enjoyed an extraordinary season, winning the treble with the best Barcelona team in history and with sensational personal statistics.

The day before he received the award, Messi put on another footballing exhibition against Deportivo, scoring twice in a 3-1 victory. From there, he flew to France with his family to collect the first of his five Ballon d'Ors.