High five: Peerless Lionel Messi beats Cristiano Ronaldo and teammate Neymar to scoop record fifth Ballon d’Or
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Barcelona star Lionel Messi won a record fifth Fifa Ballon d’Or award for the world’s best player at a ceremony in Zurich on Monday.
We have always had a good relationship. We share a profession, we have our day-to-day battles because we are playing for different teams, but it is more in the press that they compare us for one reason or another
The Argentine dethroned three-time winner Cristiano Ronaldo in adding to his four consecutive awards from 2009 to 2012.
Brazil star Neymar, who also plays for Barca, came third in the vote by national team coaches and captains, and journalists.
“It's a very special moment to come back, to get a Ballon d'Or again after the two years in which Cristiano Ronaldo won each time,” said the 28-year-old Messi.
Messi, who voted for his Barca teammate Luis Suarez, had 41 per cent of the vote, Ronaldo getting 28 per cent and Neymar 8.0 per cent.
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His victory continued the duopoly of the award he enjoys with Ronaldo that has lasted since Brazilian Kaka claimed top honours in 2007.