LIONEL Messi said it felt “incredible” after he was announced as the winner of the Ballon d’Or for a record fifth time.
The Barcelona superstar, who had already won the biggest individual accolade in world football more times than anyone else, extended his haul by reclaiming the award at a lavish ceremony in Zurich yesterday.
Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo – the winner of the world player of the year gong on three previous occasions, including in each of the last two years – traded places with his great rival to finish as runner-up.
Messi’s fellow Barca frontman Neymar came third after a calendar year in which the Catalan outfit claimed five titles.
Twenty-eight-year-old Argentina international Messi, who scored 48 goals for his club in 2015, said after being presented the award by 2007 winner Kaka: “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.”
Messi – also the Ballon d’Or winner in 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012 – secured 41.33 per cent of the vote this time, with Portugal hitman Ronaldo getting 27.76 per cent and Brazil’s Neymar 7.86 per cent.
Messi and Neymar helped Barca win the Primera Division, Copa del Rey and Champions League treble in 2015, plus the Uefa Super Cup and Fifa Club World Cup.
Ronaldo scored more goals than Messi over the calendar year, netting 54 for Madrid, but it was not enough for his side to win any silverware.
Neither man voted for the other in their respective top threes, with Messi choosing Barca team-mates Luis Suarez, Neymar and Andres Iniesta, and Ronaldo also selecting a trio of club colleagues in Karim Benzema, James Rodriguez and Gareth Bale.
Monday’s ceremony also saw Barca boss Luis Enrique take the men’s world coach of the year award as he came ahead of his predecessor, Bayern Munich’s Pep Guardiola, and Chile’s Copa America-winning Jorge Sampaoli.
1. It wasn’t close
Messi ended up with 41.33 per cent of the votes with Ronaldo back on 27.76. Many find it hard to chose between the two on a wider level, but in 2015 there was no contest.
2. The Welsh look after their own
In the detailed breakdown of the voting, Wales coach Chris Coleman and captain Ashley Williams both nominated Gareth Bale as the winner. The Real Madrid man did not make the podium but at least had support from his friends while he will be happy to see Ronaldo - despite everlasting talk that they do not get alone - voted him in third.
3. Wayne Rooney voted for Jose Mourinho
In the coach of the year voting, Manchester United and England skipper Rooney nominated Chelsea’s title-winning coach Jose Mourinho as his top boss. Little did he know that within weeks of the nomination that Mourinho would be sacked and his face adorning scarves outside Old Trafford.
4. Javier Mascherano retains support
Last year, England boss Roy Hodgson was derided for picking Barcelona enforcer Mascherano as his man man. He did not go back there this year - putting Ronaldo at one - but the Argentinean did get some number one votes. Gautemala captain Humberto Carlos Ruiz, Mauritania skipper Oumar N’Diaye and Norway captain Per Ciljan Skjelbred were amongst those who went for him.
5. Messi and Ronaldo do not vote for each other
This sort of stands to reason. Why would you boost your main rival for the award? As mentioned, Ronaldo put Bale at three behind Real team-mates Karim Benzema and James Rodriguez. Messi went with a Barcelona trio of Luis Suarez, Neymar and Andres Iniesta.
