Lionel Messi denies Ronaldo hattrick of Ballon d’Or
Argentine claims his fifth Ballon d’Or
Lionel Messi extended his record haul of world player of the year awards with his fifth after winning the treble – La Liga, the Copa del Rey and the Champions League – with Barcelona in 2014-15.
The Argentine maestro ended Real Madrid rival Cristiano Ronaldo’s two-year grip on the FIFA Ballon d’Or award at Monday’s awards ceremony in Zurich, also heading off Barcelona clubmate Neymar.
He received 41.33% of the votes from the world’s national team coaches, captains and media representatives, while Ronaldo won 27.76% and Neymar 7.86%.
Portugal captain Ronaldo, 30, scored 57 goals in as many games in 2015 – including a record 16 in the Champions League – but that was not enough to win him Ballon d’Or number four.
“It is a very special moment for me to be back here on this stage, winning again another Ballon d’Or after being there in the audience watching Cristiano win,” the 28-year-old said, as his young family watched in the crowd.
“It’s incredible this is my fifth. It’s much more than anything I’ve dreamed of as a kid. I want to thank everyone who voted for me and I want to thank my teammates. And lastly, I want to thank football in general for everything it has brought me. Both the bad and the good. Because it has made me learn and grow.”
