Messi won the best player in the world award for four consecutive years from 2009 to 2012, before being pipped to the title by Cristiano Ronaldo in 2013 and 2014.
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The Barcelona forward, who won the merged award three times in a row following its inception in 2010, was runner-up to Ronaldo the past two years.
“It’s a very special moment to be back here, winning another Ballon d’Or”, he said.
Neymar, who has come into his own over the past year, finished third in the voting behind victor Lionel Messi and Ronaldo on Monday.
“Of course Barcelona’s players wanted Neymar or Messi to win but I wanted Cristiano, because I see him working hard, he’s my friend and I see his dedication daily”.
“It’s incredible that it’s my fifth”.
“I want to keep succeeding with the club”, Messi said amid links with a reunion with Pep Guardiola, who is expected to replace Manuel Pellegrini at Manchester City next season.
The award, shared exclusively between Messi and Real Madrid’s Ronaldo since Brazilian Kaka won in 2007, has been heavily promoted by Federation Internationale de Football Association and was broadcast to 190 countries with 1,100 guests including players and coaches attending the ceremony.
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.
He added: “I hoped it would come out well when Luis arrived and that we’d achieve great things because it is always possible that you don’t”.
“On our part, there has always been admiration and respect”. Another final defeat – this time on penalties to Chile at the Copa America – means Messi has still to deliver a major trophy for La Albiceleste.
United States midfielder Carli Lloyd claimed the women’s world player of the year gong.
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However, whilst others may use his record with Argentina to doubt his candidacy as the best player ever, in Barcelona 2015 enshrined his legacy as the greatest.
