Lionel Messi wins Ballon d’Or

Messi won Ballon d’Or after beating former Ballon d’Or holder Cristiano Ronaldo & club team mate Neymar.

 

Barcelona forward Lionel Messi has won the Ballon d’Or award for the world’s best player for the fifth time.

The 28-year-old Argentine got 41.33% of the vote that placed him at the first position. While former Ballon d’Or holder and Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo got just 27.76% that placed him on second position and Barca’s Neymar 7.86% third.

This was Messi’s fifth Ballon d’Or award for the world’s best player. Messi in his previous season scored 52 goals in 61 games. Ronaldo despite scoring 57 goals remains on second position as he was not able to lead his club to major trophies. Either Messi or Ronaldo have won the past eight awards with Messi leading the race having won five Ballon d’Or.

United States midfielder Carli Lloyd won the women’s award. The award was presented to her for scoring a hat-trick in the final against Japan, including a sensational strike from the halfway line.

Lloyd said: “It has been a dream ever since I started with the national team. Keep your dreams and just go after them.”

England coach Mark Sampson was beaten to the women’s football coach of the year award by USA boss Jill Ellis.