#Genius: Lionel Messi wins Ballon d’Or over Cristiano Ronaldo & Neymar
Lionel Messi has won the FIFA Ballon d’Or for the best player in the world for the fifth time.
The 28-year-old Argentine had 41.33% of the vote, with Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo (27.76%) second and Barca’s Neymar (7.86%) third.
Either Messi or Ronaldo, who became a three-time winner last year, have won the past eight awards.
United States midfielder Carli Lloyd, who scored a hat-trick in the World Cup final, won the women’s award.
England coach Mark Sampson was beaten to the women’s football coach of the year award by USA boss Jill Ellis.
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’s performances were, at times, mesmerising and his highlights from the past 12 months include his goal against Bayern Munich in the Champions League semi-final, when he chipped Manuel Neuer from six yards, and his solo run against Atletic Bilbao in the Copa del Rey final.
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.
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.
Barcelona striker Neymar, 23, 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.
“It’s a very special moment for me to be back here on this stage, winning again another Ballon d’Or after seeing Cristiano win it,” Messi said.
“It’s incredible that it’s my fifth. Much more than anything I would have dreamed of as a kid.”
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