Lionel Messi's solo effort against Athletic Bilbao in the Copa del Rey final in May didn't win hi...

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Anthony Lopopolo

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<a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///liga/players/1126" href="http://www.thescore.com/liga/players/1126">Lionel Messi</a>'s solo effort against <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///liga/teams/36" href="http://www.thescore.com/liga/teams/36">Athletic Bilbao</a> in the Copa del Rey final in May didn't win him a first Puskas award, and the world was predictably shocked.It is one of the only times Messi, who went on to win the 2015 Ballon d'Or on Monday, hasn't received official recognition for his talent. The goal came in a final, after all, and the 28-year-old managed to slip through several defenders in the process.<figure><a class="embedly-card" href="https://streamable.com/n6on">Lionel Messi: 2015 FIFA Puskas Award Finalist - Streamable</a>
<script async="" src="https://cdn.embedly.com/widgets/platform.js" charset="UTF-8"></script></figure>The award, voted on by 1.6 million people, instead went to the relatively unknown Brazilian Wendell Lira, who plays for Vila Nova in his country's third tier.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Here's what Twitter had to say about Messi's snub:<figure><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
When the Puskas award was announced and it WASN'T Messi's solo goal vs Athletic Bilbao <a href="https://t.co/8NKNNJw0qA">pic.twitter.com/8NKNNJw0qA</a>— Copa90 (@Copa90) <a href="https://twitter.com/Copa90/status/686618715459289088">January 11, 2016</a>
</blockquote>
<script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><figure><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
Messi's goal made us cry man— Ahmad (@ChieflySarcastc) <a href="https://twitter.com/ChieflySarcastc/status/686617991694409729">January 11, 2016</a>
</blockquote>
<script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><figure><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
Lionel Messi not winning might be because we've come to expect him scoring goals like that. Which is brilliant, but also sad.— James Tyler (@JamesTylerESPN) <a href="https://twitter.com/JamesTylerESPN/status/686619495687925760">January 11, 2016</a>
</blockquote>
<script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><figure><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
Live footage from the Eurosport office as <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Messi?src=hash">#Messi</a> misses out on the Puskas Award. <a href="https://t.co/q4htj2fTrA">pic.twitter.com/q4htj2fTrA</a>— Eurosport UK (@Eurosport_UK) <a href="https://twitter.com/Eurosport_UK/status/686618751194808320">January 11, 2016</a>
</blockquote>
<script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><figure><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
Very surprised <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Messi?src=hash">#Messi</a> didn't win the Puskás award. It's a fan vote, after all, and he's hugely popular... <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BallondOr?src=hash">#BallondOr</a>— Ben Hayward (@bghayward) <a href="https://twitter.com/bghayward/status/686618543291559938">January 11, 2016</a>
</blockquote>
<script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure>

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The stars of world football convened in Zurich, Switzerland on Monday, each of them dressed to th...

The stars of world football convened in Zurich, Switzerland on Monday, each of them dressed to the nines for FIFA's annual Ballon d'Or gala, prepared for an evening that honours the very best the sport has to offer.Of course, one superstar shone brightest - even if his choice of attire belied the exuberance of past outfits.For the fifth time in his illustrious career, <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///liga/players/1126" href="http://www.thescore.com/liga/players/1126">Lionel Messi</a> was bestowed with football's greatest individual honour, capturing the FIFA Ballon d'Or ahead of fellow nominees <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///epl/players/1310" href="http://www.thescore.com/epl/players/1310">Cristiano Ronaldo</a> and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///liga/players/14263" href="http://www.thescore.com/liga/players/14263">Neymar</a>. The evening also saw a host of other awards handed out, highlighted by American midfielder Carli Lloyd capturing the Women's Player of the Year prize.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Here's everything you need to know about the 2015 FIFA Ballon d'Or gala:GOING HOME WITH THE HARDWAREFIFA Ballon d'Or<figure><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/112078/cropped_4600425.jpg?ts=1431010116"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>Nominated: Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar<ul><li><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/933451" href="http://www.thescore.com/news/933451">Back on top: Lionel Messi captures record 5th Ballon d'Or</a></li></ul>FIFA Women's World Player of the YearNominated: Celia Sasic, Carli Lloyd, Aya Miyama<ul><li><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/933704" href="http://www.thescore.com/news/933704">Carli Lloyd wins FIFA Women's World Player of the Year award</a></li></ul>FIFA World Coach of the Year (Women's)Nominated: Jill Ellis, Mark Sampson, Norio Sasaki<ul><li><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/933590" href="http://www.thescore.com/news/933590">Jill Ellis named FIFA World Coach of the Year for Women's Football</a></li></ul>FIFA World Coach of the Year (Men's)<figure><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/144098/cropped_4709748.jpg?ts=1448293078"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>Nominated: Pep Guardiola, Luis Enrique, Jorge Sampaoli<ul><li><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/933553" href="http://www.thescore.com/news/933553">Luis Enrique named FIFA World Coach of the Year for Men's Football</a></li></ul>FIFA FIFPro World XI<ul><li><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/933475" href="http://www.thescore.com/news/933475">Messi and Ronaldo star again; Pogba makes 1st appearance</a></li></ul>FIFA Puskas AwardNominated: Lionel Messi, Alessandro Florenzi, Wendell Lira<ul><li><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/933696" href="http://www.thescore.com/news/933696">Riding his bicycle to victory: Wendell Lira wins FIFA Puskas Award</a></li></ul>REACTION TO MESSI'S TRIUMPH<ul>
<li><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/933492" href="http://www.thescore.com/news/933492">Messi admits 1 World Cup triumph would trump 5 Ballon d'Ors</a></li>
<li><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/933567" href="http://www.thescore.com/news/933567">Neymar raves about Messi: 'I have fallen completely in love'</a></li>
<li><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/933754" href="http://www.thescore.com/news/933754">PHOTO: Messi's son knows how many Ballon d'Ors his father has won</a></li>
<li><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/933918" href="http://www.thescore.com/news/933918">Barcelona president says Messi put club on 'universal' level</a></li>
<li><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/933928" href="http://www.thescore.com/news/933928">By the numbers: How Messi's 5th Ballon d'Or win stacks up</a></li>
</ul>FROM THE RED CARPET<figure><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/153579/cropped_GettyImages-504553528.jpg?ts=1452533483"><figcaption></figcaption></figure><ul>
<li><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/933579" href="http://www.thescore.com/news/933579">PHOTOS: Pogba steals show on red carpet of Ballon d'Or gala</a></li>
<li><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/933633" href="http://www.thescore.com/news/933633">VIDEO: Fan attempts to crowd surf towards Ronaldo, fails miserably</a></li>
<li><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/933683" href="http://www.thescore.com/news/933683">Unsuitable: The wackiest suits to grace the Ballon d'Or over the years</a></li>
</ul>THE AFTERMATH<ul>
<li><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/933784" href="http://www.thescore.com/news/933784">The craziest Ballon d'Or votes revealed</a></li>
<li><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/933730" href="http://www.thescore.com/news/933730">3 biggest snubs from FIFPro World XI</a></li>
<li><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/933849" href="http://www.thescore.com/news/933849">PHOTOS: The best of the FIFA Ballon d'Or gala</a></li>
<li><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/933725" href="http://www.thescore.com/news/933725">Twitter reacts to Messi missing out on Puskas award</a></li>
<li><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/933802" href="http://www.thescore.com/news/933802">PHOTO: Nike releases custom boots to honour Carli Lloyd's triumph</a></li>
<li><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/933864" href="http://www.thescore.com/news/933864">Report: Italy boycotted Ballon d'Or vote out of protest for Buffon snub</a></li>
</ul>

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