Zurich : Barcelona and Argentina forward Lionel Messi pipped Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar to win the coveted FIFA Ballon d’Or for a record fifth time . Messi was presented with the biggest individual accolade in world football at a lavish ceremony in Zurich tonight .
Messi, who scored 48 goals for his club in 2015 was presented with the trophy by 2007 Ballon d’Or recipient Kaka . The Argentine legend could not hide his emotions “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.
“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 team-mates – without them none of this would be possible.
“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 grow and learn.”
Carli Lloyd was voted the FIFA Women’s Player of the Year . Messi’s coach at Barcelona , Luis Enrique was awarded the FIFA World Coach of the Year while the FIFA World Coach of the Year for Women’s went to Jill Ellis . The 2015 Puskas Award went to Wendell Lira .
Barcelona and Real Madrid footballers dominated the FIFA FIFPro World XI . The team have Neuer in the goal . The four defenders include Thiago Silva, Marcelo, Sergio Ramos and Dani Alves. Iniesta, Modric and Pogba were selected as the midfielders , while the strike line had all the three nominees of Ballon d’Or Messi, Neymar and Cristiano