Barca, Messi win laurels at Globe Soccer Awards

Spanish football giants Barcelona received big honours at the annual Globe Soccer Awards in Dubai on Sunday.

The La Liga club, along with star player Lionel Messi triumphed at the seventh edition of the Globe Soccer Awards, taking home the prizes for best team and best player.

FC Barcelona won a total of four awards -- Best Club, Best President, Best Player of the Year and Best Media Attraction in Football.

Messi had travelled from Argentina to attend the ceremony on Sunday, FC Barcelona stated on their website.

"It's very nice to receive these awards, but I always say that the team makes it possible," said Messi.

"It is difficult to pick a single moment. It has been an extraordinary year and I'll take the whole year that FC Barcelona had," he added.

After receiving the award, Messi went quickly to the airport to catch a private flight to Barcelona to be ready for Monday's training session.

Barcelona won five titles in 2015 -- the Spanish league title, the Copa del Rey, Champions League, European Super Cup and the World Club Cup.

Only the Spanish Super Cup eluded them with a loss to Athletic Bilbao.

Belgian coach Marc Wilmots was named best manager while Benfica took the award for best club academy.

Italy's Andrea Pirlo and England's Frank Lampard were lauded for their long careers.

Also in the winners’ list was Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo’s agent Jorge Mendes who was named Best Agent of the Year.