Messi wins 5th Ballon d’Or

Lionel Messi has won the 2015 FIFA Ballon dOr award, scooping the best player in the world accolade for a record fifth time. The 28-year-old claimed the 2015 award - voted for by a panel of journalists, international coaches and captains - at the annual ceremony in Zurich on Monday evening Its a very special moment for me. Its incredible that its my fifth. Its more than anything I dreamed of as a kid. I want to thank those that voted for me and my team-mates as without them nothing would be possible. Finally I want to thank football and what its brought me - the bad and the good as its made me grow as a person. Messi said upon receiving the award. Messi won the best player in the world award for four consecutive years from 2009 to 2012 before being pipped to the title by Cristiano Ronaldo in 2013 and 2014. The Argentinian had another stellar year in 2015 where he scored 53 goals in 56 appearances in all competitions for Barcelona. He also inspired Argentina to the Copa America final, where they were beaten by Chile on penalties. The Coach of the Year award for the mens game went to Luis Enrique who guided Barcelona to the treble in his first season in charge at Barcelona. The 45-year-old also led Barcelona to the UEFA Super Cup at the beginning of the season after a 5-4 win over Sevilla in Augusts final in Tblisi. Brazilian Wendell Lira won the FIFA Puskas Award for the best goal of 2015 for his stunning overhead kick for Goianesia against Atletico-GO. Carli Lloyd was named FIFA Womens World Player of the Year after captaining USA to 2015 Womens World Cup glory, scoring a 13-minute hat-trick in the final - including one from the halfway line - to finish as the tournaments joint top goalscorer. English-born manager Jill Ellis scooped the FIFA Womens World Coach of the Year award after guiding USA to their third World Cup win at Canada 2015, 15 months after succeeding Tom Sermanni as USA boss. FIFA FIFPro World XI: Manuel Neuer (Bayern Munich); Thiago Silva (PSG), Marcelo (Real Madrid), Sergio Ramos, (Real Madrid), Dani Alves (Barcelona); Andres Iniesta (Barcelona), Luka Modric (Real Madrid), Paul Pogba (Juventus); Neymar (Barcelona), Lionel Messi (Barcelona), Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid).

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Messi wins 5th Ballon d’Or