Messi took 41.33 percent of the votes followed by the Portuguese and Real Madrid forward (27.76 percent), with Brazil and Barcelona forward Neymar third (7.86 per cent).
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Barcelona star Lionel Messi returns to the summit of world football after winning the FIFA Ballon d’Or, edging out Cristiano Ronaldo, and his teammate Neymar Jr.in the final cut.
“It’s incredible this is my fifth”. Ronaldo received just 28% of votes while Neymar was far behind with just 8% of votes.
Luis Enrique was named best coach after guiding Barcelona to win the Champions League, Spain’s La Liga and cup, UEFA Super Cup and Club World Cup.
“I have always said that I prefer team achievements, and the World Cup is the biggest trophy out there”.
Dani Alves and Andres Iniesta joined Barca teammates Messi and Neymar in the Fifa/Fifpro world team of the year, with Marcelo, Sergio Ramos and Luka Modric ensuring Real Madrid also had four representatives following Ronaldo’s inclusion. “So I am enjoying it and sharing it with all of them”. “I’m very grateful to those who voted”, he said.
Despite not winning the coveted award, Ronaldo did help his country, Portugal, earn a bid to compete in the Euro 2016 finals in France, while also surpassing Messi as the all-time top scorer in the Champions League in 2015.
“I’ve always said that (I can’t leave Barcelona)”. He scored 52 goals in 61 games and made 26 assists: a goal every 101 minutes, and an assist every 202 minutes. Then they won the Club World Cup last month.
The graffiti appeared on the bronze effigy shortly after the Barcelona star secured a fifth Ballon d’Or title at the expense of his rival on Tuesday night.
The Argentine striker was FIFA World Player of the Year from 2009 to 2012.
Outgoing FIFA president Sepp Blatter was not involved after being banned for 8 years by the Ethics Committee and there was no President’s Award, normally given out by Blatter for outstanding services to the game.
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Bayern Munich goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, Paris Saint-Germain defender Thiago Silva and Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba completed the line-up.
