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US player Megan Rapinoe is connected via video link as she is announced 2019 Women's Ballon d'Or winner during the ceremony at Theatre du Chatelet in Paris, France, December, 2 2019. EPA/YOAN VALAT
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Argentinian striker Lionel Messi and US winger Megan Rapinoe have won the prestigious Ballon d’Or awards, in a ceremony in Paris on Monday night. AFP
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Barcelona's soccer player Lionel Messi holds the trophy of the Golden Ball award ceremony in Paris, Monday, Decemer 2, 2019. Messi won the Ballon d'Or for sixth time. AP Photo/Francois Mori
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Barcelona's Lionel Messi, right, receives his sixth golden ball from Real Madrid's Lucas Modric during the Golden Ball award ceremony in Paris, Monday, December 2, 2019. AP Photo/Francois Mori
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Barcelona's Argentinian forward Lionel Messi (R) and his wife Antonella Roccuzzo (L) and their sons Thiago and Mateo arrive to attend the Ballon d'Or France Football 2019 ceremony at the Chatelet Theatre in Paris on December 2, 2019. AFP / FRANCK FIFE
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The Men's 2019 Ballon d'Or winner Barcelona forward Lionel Messi sits behind some of his six Ballon d'Or trophies during the ceremony at Theatre du Chatelet in Paris, France, 2 December 2019. EPA/YOAN VALAT
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Barcelona's Lionel Messi with his six Ballon d'Or trophies. REUTERS/Christian Hartmann
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United States' forward Megan Rapinoe celebrates scoring her team's first goal during the France 2019 Women's World Cup quarter-final football match between France and United States, on June 28, 2019, at the Parc des Princes stadium in Paris. AFP / FRANCK FIFE
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/LOYWAEZCMIII35OIJUGWTIXQSI.jpg?smart=true&auth=c1b5bc3849ca29a9ce9ea9a6b40d8a8b9219010f849dcfa9427ef3d351445da4&width=400&height=225)
US player Megan Rapinoe is connected via video link as she is announced 2019 Women's Ballon d'Or winner during the ceremony at Theatre du Chatelet in Paris, France, December, 2 2019. EPA/YOAN VALAT
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/JWZBFGCHYDT6X5PKSFM45XLA2M.jpg?smart=true&auth=6f4f8823f64f40ec9c078d9baeb65047029959853e4a3c6368783e2fe5782f0b&width=400&height=225)
Argentinian striker Lionel Messi and US winger Megan Rapinoe have won the prestigious Ballon d’Or awards, in a ceremony in Paris on Monday night. AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/YXAFIVI6NCHL2JZOHOOOORCJFE.jpg?smart=true&auth=731077ea7bf73c692cb35a7c2c09cea7f72815898cc25580f189f8fd5d677e4b&width=400&height=225)
Barcelona's soccer player Lionel Messi holds the trophy of the Golden Ball award ceremony in Paris, Monday, Decemer 2, 2019. Messi won the Ballon d'Or for sixth time. AP Photo/Francois Mori
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/PKXILAKYDPWTSRFIXNO2FPEKG4.jpg?smart=true&auth=9274b1d3c3155e35d5237f4c72c896df98672acad75a3c45a8f604137858a472&width=400&height=225)
Barcelona's Lionel Messi, right, receives his sixth golden ball from Real Madrid's Lucas Modric during the Golden Ball award ceremony in Paris, Monday, December 2, 2019. AP Photo/Francois Mori
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/7G65SVSZ2CBSXRYSNAGYFAWOOI.jpg?smart=true&auth=68fad6227b254ff23c15b5e2a29415c3a5e79e50d4c3f98055fde8e231133ae4&width=400&height=225)
Barcelona's Argentinian forward Lionel Messi (R) and his wife Antonella Roccuzzo (L) and their sons Thiago and Mateo arrive to attend the Ballon d'Or France Football 2019 ceremony at the Chatelet Theatre in Paris on December 2, 2019. AFP / FRANCK FIFE
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/BCGNXCBZH23GOEYL55PP6DU27I.jpg?smart=true&auth=d3b928c34ed87c401bfa65bb5e03f654d60fb88aa921f2649e6df4d39d12e876&width=400&height=225)
The Men's 2019 Ballon d'Or winner Barcelona forward Lionel Messi sits behind some of his six Ballon d'Or trophies during the ceremony at Theatre du Chatelet in Paris, France, 2 December 2019. EPA/YOAN VALAT
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/LQ2IOEOCSUSEW57TAAGSQ4RMUM.jpg?smart=true&auth=06afda7d103cad31f5b8746db5af5d6b0219a0426ab8a79dd0f9c4515be34392&width=400&height=225)
Barcelona's Lionel Messi with his six Ballon d'Or trophies. REUTERS/Christian Hartmann
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/HSQAZWWD7BISZLS3LPYDPA4HZA.jpg?smart=true&auth=52b7eeff36fa8b20b059faf0d4fcc0a18f4ba83f86f08c82a128ff0dcad4abee&width=400&height=225)
United States' forward Megan Rapinoe celebrates scoring her team's first goal during the France 2019 Women's World Cup quarter-final football match between France and United States, on June 28, 2019, at the Parc des Princes stadium in Paris. AFP / FRANCK FIFE
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US player Megan Rapinoe is connected via video link as she is announced 2019 Women's Ballon d'Or winner during the ceremony at Theatre du Chatelet in Paris, France, December, 2 2019. EPA/YOAN VALAT
Lionel Messi and Megan Rapinoe scoop Ballon d’Or 2019 awards - in pictures
Both were favourites for the honours but faced tough competition
Jack Dutton
03 December, 2019
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