the 32-year-old Lionel Messi won on Monday his sixth Ballon d'or award - ten years after his first.

Barcelona's top scorer through the ages, Lionel Messi, acknowledges that he is reaching retirement age.

It says the 32-year-old argentine on Monday night at the ceremony of the Ballon d'or awards, where Messi received the award as the world's best footballer.

- I am aware of my age. That Netspor is why moments such as these more festive, because the day where I drag myself back, is approaching, and it is hard, say Messi, according to AFP news agency.

the Barcelona attacker hopes, however, that he has a few years in him yet.

- If all goes well, I have a number of years back, but right now, I think, that time flies, and everything happens very quickly, he says.

Lionel Messi won on Monday evening the price for the first time since 2015 and for the sixth time in his career, which is the record.

The record he shared before with his former rival in La Liga with Real Madrid Cristiano Ronaldo.

increasing the argentinian won the Ballon d'or award for the first time in 2009 as a 22-year-old after having won both La Liga, the Spanish cup and the Champions League with Barcelona under the leadership of the then-newly hired coach Pep Guardiola.

In the season did Messi 38 goals in 51 matches for the club and was the top scorer in the Champions League.

- It is ten years ago, I won my first Ballon d'or-the price here in Paris. I can remember that I arrived with my three brothers, and the whole thing was very unreal, " says Messi.

Lionel Messi is since his first Ballon d'or award has been married to Antonella Roccuzzo and has got three sons.

/ritzau/