Barcelona star, Lionel Messi, on Monday in Zurich, reclaimed the FIFA Ballon d'Or crown after beating team-mate, Neymar and Real Madrid superstar rival, Cristiano Ronaldo to the top gong.
Barcelona star Lionel Messi poses with the Ballon d'Or award after claiming the gong for the fifth time in his career
Argentina talisman and Barcelona superstar, Lionel Messi, was last night in Zurich, presented with the Ballon d’Or for the 5th time in his extraordinary career as the best player in the world.
The greatest player of this generation was recognised by international captains, managers and journalists for his outstanding performances during 2015, when Barcelona became the first team to complete the treble of league, cup and Champions League for the second time.
Messi is congratulated by Barcelona team-mate and fellow finalist Neymar
Portugal captain, Cristiano Ronaldo, came second after scoring 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.
Barcelona striker, Neymar, was the first Brazilian to finish in the top three since Kaka won the 2007 award. He scored 45 goals in 62 games and is joint top scorer in this season's La Liga with 15, level with team-mate Luis Suarez.
Cristiano Ronaldo shakes the hand of winner Messi having missed out
USA's World Cup-winning midfielder, Carli Lloyd, won the women's world player of the year award. She scored a hat-trick in the final against Japan, including a sensational strike from the halfway line, and earned the Golden Ball for best player in the tournament.
Greatest players on the planet Ronaldo and Messi sit side-by-side ahead of the ceremony
Messi, who was clearly overcome when presented with the award in Zurich’s Kongresshaus, said; "It is a very special moment for me to be back on this stage having watched Cristiano (Ronaldo) win it for the last two years.
It is incredible that it is my fifth Ballon d’Or, it is more than anything I could have dreamed of when I was a kid. I want to thank all my team-mates as without them none of this would be possible. I also want to thank football for everything, both the good and the bad. It has made me learn."
Messi smiles as Ronaldo greets his partner, Antonella Roccuzzo as Neymar looks on
ALL THE WINNERS AT 2015 BALLON D'OR GALA
- Ballon d'Or: Lionel Messi
- Women's world player of the year: Carli Lloyd
- Puskas award: Wendell Lira
- World coach of the year for men's football: Luis Enrique
- World coach of the year for women's football: Jill Ellis
- World XI: Manuel Neuer; Thiago Silva, Marcelo, Sergio Ramos, Dani Alves; Andres Iniesta, Luka Modric, Paul Pogba; Neymar, Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo.
- FIFA fair play award: All football organisations supporting refugees.
L-R: Thiago Silva, Luka Modric Marcelo, Paul Pogba, Sergio Ramos, Neymar, Dani Alves, Lionel Messi, Andres Iniesta and Cristiano Ronaldo pose after being selected in FIFA's FIFPro World XI for 2015
Most Ballon d'Or wins
- Lionel Messi 5
- Cristiano Ronaldo 3
- Marco van Basten 3
- Michel Platini 3
- Johan Cruyff 3
VOTING FOR THE BALLON d'OR