Lionel Messi Wins Fifth Ballon d'Or Award; Read How He Won

Barcelona Star, lionel Messi has become the first player to win the FIFA Ballon d'Or award five times, after beating his teammate, Neymar Jr and his arch rival, Cristiano Ronaldo to the prestigious award.

Messi inspired Barcelona to UEFA Champions League glory as well as the Spanish Liga, Copa del Rey, UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup, scoring in each of those finals. And in August, he was named UEFA Best Player in Europe for a second time, with 49 out of 53 votes.

The Argentine international polled Messi: 41.33% as Cristiano Ronaldo, who's not new on the stage polled 27.76% while Brazillian star, whom many have tipped to take over from both players was only able to pull 7.86%.

Messi also reached the final of the Copa America tournament in Chile, but lost to the compact home team, not more than a year after reaching the final of the world cup in Brazil and losing to Germany by 1-0.

Messi's club boss Luis Enrique became Barcelona's second FIFA World Coach of the Year, emulating Josep Guardiola's feat of 2011. Guardiola himself was in the final three for his trophy-sweeping achievements with Bayern.

Award winners
FIFA Ballon d'Or: Lionel Messi (ARG, Barcelona)
FIFA Women's World Player of the Year: Carli Lloyd (USA, Houston Dash)
FIFA World Coach of the Year (Men's): Luis Enrique (ESP, Barcelona)
FIFA World Coach of the Year (Women's): Jill Ellis (ENG, United States)
FIFA Puskás Award: Wendell Lira (BRA, Goianésia v Atlético-GO)
FIFA FIFPro World XI: Neuer; Marcelo, Thiago Silva, Sergio Ramos, Dani Alves; Iniesta, Modrić, Pogba; Neymar, Messi, Ronaldo.