Messi, Sasic top players
August 27, 2015
Lionel Messi has been named UEFA's Best Player in Europe award for the third time, beating Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo and teammate Luis Suarez to the prize.
With 58 goals in 57 competitive games, Messi fired Barcelona to the treble - the Champions League, Spanish championship and Spanish Cup. Under the stewardship of Luis Enrique, Messi's form has been phenomenal with an improved diet and focus in training the secret to his success.
At international level, the 28-year-old was key in Argentina's run to the final of last year's World Cup where they lost to Germany in Rio. This summer, Messi and Argentina reached the final of the Copa America, but his side lost to Chile who won the tournament for the first time.
Messi wins the European Best Player award for a third time after taking the prize in 2009 and 2011. Messi and Ronaldo are tied for Champions League all-time top scorer with 77 goals each.
Retired Sasic wins prize
Meanwhile, former Germany international Celia Sasic was named as Europe's Best Women's Player for the past season despite retiring after the 2015 Women's World Cup.
The 27-year-old helped FFC Frankfurt win the UEFA Women's Champions League last season with 14 goals in eight matches, including the winner against Paris Saint-Germain in the final. After the World Cup in Canada, the striker decided to hang up her boots to focus on her studies.
Sasic scored 138 goals in 176 Bundesliga games with 22 in 20 last season. Born in Bonn, the striker made 111 appearances for the German national team, scoring 63 goals, as well as winning the 2009 and 2013 European Championships.