LIONEL MESSI has been crowned the world's best player for a fifth time after beating Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar to the Ballon d'Or in Zurich.
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| Lionel Messi picked up his fifth world player of the year gong |
Messi helped Barcelona win the treble last year and regained the award having seen Ronaldo win it the previous two years.
It is Messi's fourth Ballon d'Or, having won the previous incarnation in 2009, to make it his fifth overall.
Ronaldo has two and Messi couldn't help having a little dig at the Portuguese when collected the award tonight.
“It’s a very special moment to be back here, winning another Ballon d’Or,” he said.
“Especially after watching from the crowd as Cristiano won last year.
“It’s incredible to win a fifth. More than anything I ever dreamed of as a kid.
“I want to thank those who voted for me, plus my team-mates. Without them this wouldn’t be possible.
“Football has always made me learn and grow."
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| Messi picked up the award from Kaka |
Barcelona picked up the double with Luis Enrique being named men's coach of the year, beating Pep Guardiola of Bayern Munich and Chile boss Jorge Sampaoli, after helping the Spanish club to the Champions League, La Liga and Copa del Rey treble.
Barca director Robert Fernandez collected the gong for him and said: “The other candidates have a lot of quality.
“Luis would have me share this present with all those who supported him, including the staff, the fans and our incredible players.”
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| Luis Enrique secured the coach of the year award in Zurich |
USA's Jill Ellis was awarded Women's Coach of the Year after guiding her country to the World Cup in Canada last year.
“This is really a team award,” she said after beating England head coach Mark Sampson and Japan's Norio Sasaki to the award.
And Carli Lloyd, hattrick hero from the World Cup final, scooped the Women's Player of the Year award ahead of Celia Sasic and Japan's Aya Miyama.
The Premier League was snubbed in the FIFPro World XI with four players each from Barcelona and Real Madrid being included.
- Goalkeeper: Manuel Neuer
- Defenders: Dani Alves, Sergio Ramos, Thiago Silva, Marcelo
- Midfielders: Andres Iniesta, Luka Modric, Paul Pogba
- Forwards: Neymar, Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo
Wendell Lira collected the award for FIFA Puskas Goal of the Year for his spinning overhead
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