Lionel Messi is the winner of the 2015 Ballon d’Or. The Argentine International was announced the winner during the award ceremony in Zurich. Messi has now won the Ballon d’Or five times, consequently making him the overall highest winner of the coveted award.
Former AC Milan and Brazil forward Kaka made the all-important announcement:
Messi received 41.33 percent of the votes, Cristiano received 27.76 percent, while Neymar received 7.86 percent.
His victory was quite expected as his closest competitor Cristiano Ronaldo admitted that the Argentine had the upper hand to clinch to award. Before the Barcelona legend was officially confirmed the winner of the 2015 Ballon d’Or, his former team mate Carlos Puyol also admitted that Messi was the favourite to win it.
Indeed, Puyol’s revelation had some truth in it; in the 2008-2009 season when Messi won the Ballon d’Or, he had scored 38 goals for Barcelona and when he won it in 2011-2012, he almost doubled his goal tally to 73. The Argentine managed to reach the double-digit mark with his goals, despite playing as a central midfielder so many times, particularly in the 2009-2010 season.
Leo poses with the Ballon d'Or trophy alongside Carli Llyod, who won the World Womens' Footballer of the Year award .jpg)
Last year alone, the 28-year-old helped the Catalans win the Spanish League, Champions League, Club World Cup and also steered Argentine to the Copa America finals where they were bundled out by Chile. But despite losing out in the finals, he was named the player of the tournament.
Kaka congratulates Leo for winning the 2015 Ballon d'Or
Speaking moments after receiving the Ballon d’Or, a jovial Messi said:
"It's a very special moment for me to be back here on the stage, winning again after being in the audience to see Ronaldo win for the last two years.’’
"It's incredible to win a fifth... more than anything I ever dreamed of as a kid.’’
"I want to thank my team-mates, without them none of this would have been possible."
Additionally, Barca coach Luis Enrique was named World Coach of the Year.
Messi is now equal with Franz Beckenbauer’s and Johan Cryuff’s record of five Ballon d’Or trophies and at only 28, the superstar could be in contention for even more global awards to come.
Asked whether the current Barcelona side were the best in the history of football, he explained:
"I don't know if this is the best team, but they are spectacular with extraordinary players who are motivated and want to do impressive things," he said. And we continue on this path to want to win everything.’’
He added:
"The mentality of the dressing room is important and the plan to put out new goals and go out and play hard is also important.’’
"We know it is always difficult to repeat but we try because we have the desire."
Concerning his trophy drought with the Argentina national team, he replied;
"We are doing everything possible to win something for the national team. It is what we all want. But we were very close. We made it to the final of the World Cup and to the Copa America final. We haven't done a bad job. But we didn't win because of small details, small errors, but we didn't lose badly.’’
"I think what the fans want is a victory just like we do and we are trying our best. We have another chance and hope that we can do it."
Match details, result and original broadcast info
FIFA Ballon d'Or 2015
January 11, 2016 12:30pmZurichThis match has ended. Below are the original Live broadcast details for this match.
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