The Barcelona forward has won the prize four times and always captures the attention with his attire in Zurich. But the partnership is about more than just an elegant ensemble.
Ever since 2011, it has been a tradition that the year starts off with the Ballon d'Or ceremony. The prestigious prize awarded by the magazine France Football passed to the hands of FIFA in 2010 and is now handed out to the world's finest footballer in the first few days of January. And Lionel Messi has been there on each of those occasions.
2010 BALLON D'OR | Winner
Up until now, there have been five editions since the change of format - and Messi has won three of those.