11 Jan Ballon D’Or 2015 Recap: Messi and Lloyd Named Best Players
Another FIFA Ballon D’Or ceremony has taken place in Zurich to celebrate the best soccer players and moments of 2015. Fans around the world enjoyed TV and Internet coverage of the event (400,000 fans watched the official YouTube broadcast) and more than 1 million cast their votes to choose the winner of the Puskas award, the only one that acknowledges the fans’ saying. Here’s a recap of the Ballon D’Or 2015 awards:
FIFA Ballon D’Or trophy, image from FIFA.com
The FIFA FIFPro World XI gathers the best team of players that you could choose to play together, and the 2015 version didn’t disappoint, having French sensation Paul Pogba for the first time ever. This is the 9th consecutive appearance for both Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, and the 7th for Spanish midfielder Andres Iniesta.
FIFA FIFPro World XI, image from FIFA.com
Jill Ellis, who coached the United States Women’s National Team to their third World Cup title, was named FIFA World Coach of the Year for Women’s Football. Luis Enrique, FC Barcelona manager, was named FIFA World Coach of the Year for Men’s Football.
World Coaches for Women’s and Men’s Football 2015, image from FIFA.com
It was time to know who would get the FIFA Fair Play Award, and this year it was dedicated to all the soccer organizations who have supported refugees affected by violence. On a surprising turn of events, fans voted Wendell Lira’s amazing goal as the best of 2015 (he was competing against Lionel Messi and Alessandro Florenzi), earning the Brazilian a Pukas Award and a unforgettable night.
Carly Lloyd, who had a astonishing performance during the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup and captained the US team to their third title, was named FIFA Women’s World Player of the Year. Lloyd, 33, was the first player to score three goals in a Women’s World Cup final, and did it in less than 16 minutes, a feat that very few players in the world could achieve.
Jill Ellis and Carli Lloyd pose during the FIFA Ballon D’Or 2015 Ceremony, photo from FIFA.com
Argentina and FC Barcelona star Lionel Messi was awarded with the FIFA Ballon D’Or award, thanks to a spectacular 2015 with his club (where they claimed five from six possible titles) and National Team (2015 Copa America finalists). This is his fifth Ballon D’Or award, a record number that will be very hard to surpass in the near future.
Lionel Messi receives the FIFA Ballon D’Or award from Brazilian star Ricardo Kaka, photo from FIFA.com
The night came to an end, and we are looking forward for a splendid 2016, with the UEFA European Championship (France), Rio Summer Olympics and of course the U.S. Copa America Centenario.
What did you think about the FIFA Ballon D’Or 2015 awards? Let us know by leaving a comment below!
