FC Barcelona and Argentina’s forward Lionel Messi waves holding his trophy after receiving the 2015 FIFA Ballon dOr award for player of the year during the 2015 FIFA Ballon d’Or award ceremony at the Kongresshaus in Zurich on January 11, 2016. AFP PHOTO / FABRICE COFFRINI / AFP / FABRICE COFFRINI
FIFA Ballon d’Or 2015
WINNERS
FIFA Ballon d’Or: Lionel Messi
FIFA Women’s World Player of the Year: Carli Lloyd
FIFA Puskas Award: Wendell Lira
FIFA World Coach of the Year (Men’s): Luis Enrique
FIFA World Coach of the Year (Women’s): Jill Ellis
FIFA FIFPro World XI:
Neuer, Thiago Silva, Marcelo, Sergio Ramos, Dani Alvez, Iniesta, Modric, Pogba, Messi, Neymar, Cristiano
FIFA Fair Play Award: All football organisations supporting refugees
Lionel Messi voiced his delight with his FIFA Ballon d’Or win after beating Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo and Barcelona team-mate Neymar to the prestigious individual award.
The prolific attacker guided Barcelona to the treble in 2014-15, before adding the Club World Cup and UEFA Super Cup to his trophy cabinet in the first half of this season, while also reaching the final of the Copa America with Argentina in July.
Messi has now won the Ballon d’Or five times – twice more than last year’s winner Ronaldo – and he felt honoured to be voted the best in the world once more after coming in second in 2013 and 2014.
“It’s a very special moment for me to be back here on the stage, winning again after being in the audience to see Ronaldo win for the last two years,” the 28-year-old stated upon receiving his award.
“It’s incredible that it’s my fifth. It’s much more than I ever dreamed of as a kid.
“I want to thank all of my team-mates and those who voted for me. This would not have been possible without the team.
“And I want to thank football in general for everything it has given me during my life, both the good things and the bad things.”
Meanwhile, Messi missed out on the Puskas Award as Brazilian attacker Wendell Lira took home that trophy.
