Lionel Messi receives 2014-15 UEFA Best Player in Europe Award

Nothing unexpected unfolded at the Grimaldi Forum in Monaco on Thursday as a smiling Lionel Messi emerged victorious from a 10-man shortlist, receiving his second-ever UEFA Best Player in Europe Award.

Messi was previously bestowed with the award in 2010-11 and is the first footballer to claim the honour on two occasions. This time, he beat out the likes of Gianluigi Buffon, Eden Hazard, Neymar, Paul Pogba, Andrea Pirlo, Cristiano Ronaldo, Luis Suarez, Carlos Tevez, and Arturo Vidal.

Messi also edged out Ronaldo for the UEFA Goal of the Season award earlier Thursday, defeating his rival after UEFA.com users voted for his jaw-dropping goal finish versus Bayern Munich in last season's semifinals.

Related: VIDEO: Lionel Messi beats out Cristiano Ronaldo for UEFA Goal of the Season

Messi was the engine behind Barcelona's treble-winning 2014-15 campaign, tallying 58 goals in all competitions - including a joint-best 10 in the Champions League - and surpassing Telmo Zarra's record of 251 La Liga goals on Nov. 22, when he bagged a hat trick against Sevilla.

It was another phenomenal crusade from the planet's top player.