FC Barcelona has once again been honoured by the IFFHS (International Federation of Football History & Statistics), with both Leo Messi and Luis Enrique picking up awards following another remarkable year in which the club won five out of a possible six major trophies.
Messi honoured
Leo Messi is the best playmaker of 2015, finishing above his captain and colleague, Andrés Iniesta. Voters from over 50 countries around the world gave the Argentinian 169 points, while Iniesta took 91. Some way behind in third place we find Italian Andrea Pirlo, formerly of Juventus and now of New York City FC, with 54.
From 2008 to 2011, this honour was collected each year by former FCB midfielder Xavi Hernández, while the title went to Iniesta in the two editions after that. The Barça dominance was interrupted in 2014 by the German Toni Kroos, with Messi coming second.
Luis Enrique, top coach
The Barça manager was also recognised by the IFFHS after leading the team to the domestic double and the European title as well. Luis Enrique was named coach of the year with 165 points, followed in the ranking by former FCB boss Pep Guardiola, now of Bayern Munich, with 86 points, and by Massimiliano Allegri, manager of Champions League finalists Juventus, with 43 points.
