Barcelona’s first Ballon d'Or winner, Luis Suarez, says he “went home with the junk” after collecting his award in 1960, in sharp contrast to Monday’s lavish ceremony in Paris.
Current Barca superstar Lionel Messi collected a record sixth Ballon d'Or at the Theatre du Chatelet, the 12th time a player from the Catalan giants has lifted the award.
The world’s best players gathered for the ceremony in the French capital, which also saw awards presented for the best goalkeeper, best young player and best female player.
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Only male European players were eligible for Ballon d’Or back in 1960, just the fifth year of the award’s existence.