Lionel Messi
Barcelona's Lionel Messi (L) receives from UEFA President Michel Platini the Best Player UEFA 2015 Award during the draw ceremony for the 2015/2016 Champions League Cup soccer competition at Monaco's Grimaldi Forum while Cristiano Ronaldo (C) looks on in Monte Carlo August 27, 2015. REUTERS/Eric Gaillard

Barcelona forward Lionel Messi won the UEFA Best Player in Europe Award for the second time in the Champions League group draw in Monaco. Messi grabbed his first individual award of the season after defeating Barca teammate Luis Suarez and Real Madrid football star Cristiano Ronaldo.

Messi inspired the Catalan club to the treble last season, lifting the silverware at the Champions League, Copa del Rey and La Liga. The 28-year-old Messi’s impressive run with Barca gave him the edge against Suarez and FIFA Ballon d’Or winner Ronaldo for the individual prize.

It was the second time the Argentine international has won the award since it was created in 2011, and was the first time a player has won it twice. Messi thanked his teammates, whom he said was united during Barcelona’s remarkable run last season.

"Thanks to my team-mates, we are all represented. I wouldn't be here if not for them and the club,” Messi said, reports Goal.

The Barcelona forward scored a staggering 58 goals and posted 31 assists in all competitions last season, helping Barca win the treble. Messi could likely battle Ronaldo again for the Ballon d’Or in January after a final tally of 62 goals in 67 games in all games for club and country.

Messi also bagged home the award for best goal when he embarrassed Bayern Munich defender Jerome Boateng last season during Barca’s semifinal match in the Champions League. Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen took home the award for best save for his goalkeeping efforts against Bayern in May.

Germany’s Celia Sasic, who retired from professional play last month, won the women’s best player award. The 27-year-old female striker beat out teammate Dzsenifer Marozsan and Amandine Henry of Olympique Lyon.

“I have the best job, I’m a striker. This is for them too,” Sasic said, reports the Washington Post.

Meanwhile, Barcelona should have little trouble in advancing to the round of 16 of the Champions League. The defending champion will face Bayer Leverkusen, AS Roma, and BATE, a Belorussian team that never has advanced past the group stage.

The Group-stage play for European teams championship will start on Sept. 15 and 16, and will run through early December. Each group winner and runner-up will then advance to the round of 16, which begins on Feb. 16.

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