Page 17 - Aruba Today

SPORTS A17
Tuesday 12 January 2016

Messi, Lloyd Win FIFA World Player Awards

Carli Lloyd of the USA and Argentina’s Lionel Messi pose with their trophies after winning the FIFA soccer player of the year 2015 prize during the FIFA Ballon d’Or
awarding ceremony at the Kongresshaus in Zurich, Switzerland, Monday, January 11, 2016.

(Walter Bieri/KEYSTONE via AP))

GRAHAM DUNBAR extending fifth after being 23-candidate ballot. Ronal- tugal coach Fernando San- ing a stunning hat trick in
AP Sports Writer runner-up to his great rival do received 27.76 percent tos did put Messi second the opening 16 minutes of
ZURICH (AP) — Now score for the past two years. and third-place Neymar, to Ronaldo. It was a stellar a 5-2 rout of Japan in the fi-
it Lionel Messi 5, Cristiano “It’s a very special moment Messi’s Barcelona team- night for Barcelona and the nal. At first unable to speak
Ronaldo 3. for me to be back here on mate from Brazil, got 7.86 World Cup-winning United with emotion, Lloyd was
Messi won the Ballon d’Or the stage,” Messi said in percent. Voting was by na- States women’s team. loudly applauded as she
trophy on Monday as the Spanish in his acceptance tional team captains and Luis Enrique was named prepared to begin her ac-
world’s best player in 2015, speech, “after being there coaches, plus invited jour- best coach after guid- ceptance speech.
ending Cristiano Ronaldo’s in the audience watching nalists, from FIFA member ing Barcelona to win “I honestly wouldn’t be sit-
two-year hold on soccer’s Cristiano win.” countries. the Champions League, ting up here, standing up
top individual honor. Five major titles for Barcelo- As usual, Argentina captain Spain’s La Liga and cup, here, without my incredible
“It’s incredible that it’s my na last year — leaving none Messi and Portugal captain UEFA Super Cup and Club teammates,” said Lloyd,
fifth,” said the 28-year-old for Ronaldo’s Real Madrid Ronaldo ignored each oth- World Cup. who made the three-play-
Barcelona and Argentina — brought the golden ball er on their own ballot pa- The women’s awards were er shortlist for the first time at
forward, who won four back into Messi’s hands. It pers. Messi voted for three won by U.S. captain Carli age 33.
straight FIFA awards from was not even close. Barcelona teammates and Lloyd and coach Jill Ellis.
2009-12. Messi got 41.33 percent Ronaldo listed three Madrid Lloyd stood out by scoring Continued on page 22
Messi earned his record- of total voting points in a colleagues. However, Por- six World Cup goals, includ-