Enrique says Messi recognized as greatest player of all time

Barcelona, Jan 12: Barcelona head coach Luis Enrique on Tuesday stressed that his club's Lionel Messi is "being recognized as the greatest player of all time" after the Argentine football star won the 2015 FIFA Ballon d'Or last night in Zurich for the fifth time in his career.

During a press conference on the eve of the Copa del Rey second leg clash against Espanyol in the Round of 16, Enrique said: "I'm very happy. He's being recognized as the greatest player of all time and we're so lucky to have players like Neymar in these ceremonies as well.

"I think there are other players in my squad who deserve to be up there so I'm glad these players have such a strong future ahead of them."

Enrique was named on Monday night as the FIFA World Coach of the Year during the 2015 FIFA Ballon d'Or award ceremony, however, Barcelona's sporting director Robert Fernandez collected the award on behalf of the coach, who could not attend the ceremony due to club duties, reports Efe.

"It's an honour which has come as a reward for everything the players and staff did last year. I'm very grateful to those who voted," Enrique said.