Lionel Messi may be the world’s best footballer, but he’s certainly not the best-dressed

Unsurprisingly, the Ballon d'Or FIFA ceremony does not have a best-dressed award, which is probably why Lionel Messi confidently showed up in a shocking velour number.

Despite their incredible pay packets, football figures aren't exactly known for their sense of style. For every suave Leonardo or Pep Guardiola there are walking train wrecks such as Andriy Voronin or Djibril Cisse.

Unsurprisingly then, the undisputed best footballer in the world turned up to the Ballon d'Or gala in Zurich on Monday night in a fairly rubbish suit.

Though Lionel Messi doesn't boast the movie-star good looks of fellow footballers-turned-models such as David Beckham or Freddie Ljungberg, his prowess on the pitch means that fashion houses all over the world have been clamouring for the Barcelona star's signature.

Is that really a velvet blazer?

It was back in late 2010 that Dolce & Gabbana completed the fashion signing of the season in attracting the Argentine to become the face of their brand, with Armani squarely putting their weight behind Cristiano Ronaldo instead. “I always preferred their elegant style and always loved the sophisticated image that projects," said Messi at the time of the announcement.

Ever since his deal, D&G have provided a new wardrobe for the diminutive striker, though we feel that they perhaps overplayed their hand on Monday night, with a decidedly ambitious velvet blazer.

It's a look that wouldn't go unnoticed on a typical chisel-cheekboned, 6'4" D&G male model but on lesser mortals (not that Messi appears 'mortal' with a ball at his feet), it all looks fairly embarrassing.

We're sure that Messi was able to console himself against any fashion barbs by deservedly taking home the prized award on the night in question and if ever feels any pangs of shame for his outfit, he can always reconcile his thoughts by remembering that'll he'll never dress like Andy Carroll, who obviously wasn't conspicuous by his absence on Monday night.