Messi pips Ronaldo to win record fifth Ballon d'Or

Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi won an unprecedented fifth Ballon d'Or award in Zurich on Monday, with the Argentine reclaiming the prize from three-time winner Cristiano Ronaldo.

Brazil striker Neymar, who plays alongside Messi at Barca, was also in the running to be crowned world player of the year after he was included on the three-man shortlist for the first time.

Messi and Neymar, along with overlooked Uruguay star Luis Suarez, formed a formidable front three that propelled Barca to five trophies in 2015, including a second Champions League, La Liga and Copa del Rey treble in six seasons.

"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," he said.

"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 hank my team-mates. And 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 learn and grow."

Carli Lloyd claimed the women’s player of the year honours. The American, who played a key role in the USA’s World Cup win, choked back the tears just enough to say: “It’s an honour. This has always been a dream of mine.”

Spain's Luis Enrique won the coach of the year award. Enrique led Barcelona to a treble of Champions League, La Liga and Spanish Cup trophies last season.

English-born Jill Ellis, coach of the American team that won last year's World Cup in Canada, took the women's award. Messi earlier had said he would swap all his individual awards including four Ballon d'Or trophies for a single World Cup win.

Asked what he would choose between his plethora of Ballon d'Or awards and a World Cup, the 28-year-old said: The World Cup, of course." He added: "Team awards are more important than individual ones."

Messi and his Argentina teammates came close to winning the World Cup in Brazil in 2014 but were beaten 1-0 by Germany in the final. But the striker said the World Cup "is every player's objective, it's really the pinnacle". Messi and Ronaldo, 30, have hogged the Ballon d'Or between them since 2008.

The award winners: FIFA FIFPro World XI: Goalkeeper: Manuel Neuer; defenders: Dani Alves, Sergio Ramos, Thiago Silva, Marcelo; midfielders: Andres Iniesta, Luka Modric, Paul Pogba; forwards: Neymar, Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo.

Women’s coach of the Year: Jill Ellis (USA National team).

Men’s coach of the Year: Luis Enrique (Barcelona).

Puskas Award for goal of the year: Wendell Lira (Brazil).

Women’s World Player of the Year: Carli Lloyd (USA).

Men’s World player of the Year: Lionel Messi (Argentina).