Messi would swap Ballon d’Or for World Cup

The Barcelona and Argentina forward finished ahead of Ronaldo and Brazil forward Neymar as he scooped the award for the fifth time overall, having previously won it four years in a row from 2009 to 2012.

“I would prefer to win a World Cup rather than five Ballons d’Or if I had to choose”, Messi said at the news conference prior to the Ballon d’Or ceremony.

“It’s incredible this is my fifth”.

Unlike Messi, Ronaldo is right-footed but know for his ambidexterity, whereas the Argentine is far more one-footed.

Carli Lloyd was named FIFA Women’s World Player of the Year after captaining US to 2015 Women’s World Cup glory, while Gerard Asamoah clinched the FIFA Fair Play Award for his work with refugees.

While the 28-year-old received 41.33% of the votes, Ronaldo came second with 27.76% and Barca’s Neymar had 7.86%.

Lloyd said, “It has been a dream ever since I started with the national team”.

“Messi winning the Ballon d’Or is a great triumph for Barcelona, our supporters and mainly, Leo himself”.

“I’ve always said that [I can’t leave Barcelona]”.

She had guided the U.S. to women’s World Cup glory in Canada last summer, beating Japan 5-2 in the final.

61 games, 52 goals and 26 assists.

Enrique edged out Bayern Munich boss Pep Guardiola and Chile coach Jorge Sampaoli.

The Juventus midfielder was selected in the 2015 FIFPro World XI on Monday night after playing a starring role for the Italian giants as they won Serie A, the Coppa Italia, and reached the Champions League final a year ago.

Barcelona’s Lionel Messi is the world footballer of the year once again.

The Seleção captain joined the Catalan club from FC Santos in 2013 and he has developed year on year to become one of the world’s finest players.

Dooley picked out Messi as second in the world, while German goalkeeper Manuel Neuer rounded out his selection.