Luis Suarez Beats Lionel Messi to 2015 Club World Cup's Best Player Award

Luis Suarez's two goals in the 2015 Club World Cup final saw him crowned player of the tournament in Japan after Barcelona defeated River Plate 3-0 on Sunday. 

The Uruguay international beat Lionel Messi to the accolade after the Argentina icon opened the scoring.

Tom Adams of Eurosport reported Suarez was awarded the honour, while Messi was named runner-up and Barca midfield veteran Andres Iniesta claimed third best. 

Suarez opened his account after the restart for the second half, released by a brilliant pass from Sergio Busquets. The striker took one touch and squeezed the ball through the goalkeeper's legs:

"

What a ball from Busquets...goall suarez... pic.twitter.com/8p7mxB8Zn3

— ❤BarcaChic❤ (@i_am_sangi) December 20, 2015"

The No. 9 completed his double midway through the second half, as River folded after a promising start.

The efforts ensured Suarez had scored five goals for the competition, per OptaJavier, delivering the Blaugrana the crown of world champions once more. 

Suarez warned against complacency after the Catalans' success and encouraged his team-mates to maintain their form on their return to La Liga, per Dermot Corrigan of ESPN FC. 

"Always after competition like this, teams can have a dip," Suarez said. "Our next challenge now is not to drop off, to keep challenging for trophies. We must stay on the same path, we are the best team in the world."

Eugene Hoshiko/Associated Press

The former Liverpool ace scored a hat-trick in the semi-finals to help the Camp Nou giants progress, but Suarez said he is unconcerned by his goal haul, as quoted by Corrigan: "We are very happy to win the trophy, which was why we came here. I am not too worried who scores the goals."

Barca have proved they are unstoppable when their attacking MSN Trinity of Messi, Suarez and Neymar are at their best, and it is not unthinkable they could retain the treble they achieved last term.

Messi has returned from injury to provide further threat for Barca, and he has hit the ground running in tandem with Suarez. 

River were credible opponents for the champions of Spain and Europe, but the gulf in class became apparent as the contest ebbed toward its conclusion.