Lionel Messi and Barcelona were the main protagonists at the 2015 Globe Soccer Awards which were held in Dubai, late Sunday.

The Argentina skipper scooped the Best Player of the Year accolade, beating last year’s winner Cristiano Ronaldo, of Real Madrid, and Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon in the contest.

“Obviously I am very happy to be here and delighted to win this award but as always, the most important thing is the collective, the team,” Messi said after receiving the award.

“It is difficult to pick out one moment from what has been an extraordinary year for Barca. The whole year has been wonderful.”

Following his success in Dubai, Messi will also be up against Ronaldo and his Barcelona team-mate Neymar for the FIFA Ballon d’Or on January 11.

Barcelona, who won an impressive treble in season 2014-15, were named Best Club of the Year and their chief, Josep Maria Bartomeu, received with the Best President of the Year title.

Messi, who has endured a spell on the sidelines this season, notched 58 goals as Barca swept past all opposition in Spain and in Europe.

Bartomeu said: “I thank the jury for this award that honours us.

“We enjoy our style of football and our philosophy, and our goal is to make people happy. This year we will try to win again. With Messi and the other players life is easier.

“They keep playing better and better and hopefully that will continue well into the future. I am just one of the 140,000 members of FC Barcelona and I’m very proud to be president.

“But this award belongs to our members and the 39 presidents who have led the club throughout our 116-year history.”

On Sunday, Barcelona were also awarded the Best Media Attraction in Football award. In all, they won five titles in 2015, the Spanish league, Copa del Rey, Champions League, European Super Cup and the World Club Cup.

Only the Spanish Super Cup eluded the Catalans after they were defeated by Athletic Bilbao.

Italy’s Andrea Pirlo receiving the Player Career Award.

Meanwhile, there were recognitions for New York City pair Andrea Pirlo and Frank Lampard, too, with both players scooping a Player Career Award.

Jorge Mendes, who represents Ronaldo, was handed the award for Best Agent of the Year, while Belgium boss Marc Wilmots was named Best Coach of the Year.

Elsewhere, Benfica took the Best Academy of the Year title and Ravshan Irmatov, of Uzbekistan, was named top referee.

The 2015 winners

Best Player: Lionel Messi.
Best Club: Barcelona.
Best Club President: Josep Maria Bartomeu.
Best Media Attraction: FC Barcelona.
Player Career Award: Frank Lampard.
Player Career Award: Andrea Pirlo.
Best Agent: Jorge Mendes.
Best Coach: Marc Wilmots.
Best Academy: Benfica.
Best Referee: Ravshan Irmatov.