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.”