Lionel Messi wins Federation Internationale de Football Association world player award for 5th time

Ireland manager Martin O’Neill gave Euro 2016 opponent Eden Hazard his second preference behind Lionel Messi in Ballon d’Or voting, while his captain Robbie Keane went with Cristiano Ronaldo as his first preference.

Ronaldo had won the previous two Ballon d’Or prizes. His victory continued the duopoly of the award he enjoys with Ronaldo that has lasted since Brazilian Kaka claimed top honors in 2007.

“It is a very special moment for me to be back here on this stage, winning again another Ballon d’Or after being there in the audience watching Cristiano win”, Messi said.

Ronaldo scored more goals than Messi over the calendar year, netting 54 for Madrid, but it was not enough for his side to win any silverware. I want to thank everyone who voted for me and I want to thank my teammates.

“Team awards are more important than individual ones”, he said, before adding that the World Cup “is every player’s objective, it’s really the pinnacle”.

It’s the 11th time that a Barcelona player has won the Ballon d’Or award.

The Catalan cluba’s coach Luis Enrique was chosen as the men’s “World Coach of the Year” after becoming European champion and winning the Spanish league and cup, European Super Cup and Club World Cup.

Atletico Goianiense’s Wendell Lira won the goal of the year award for a spectacular overhead kick in Brazil’s Goiano state league game against Goianesia.