Lionel Messi wins fifth FIFA Ballon d’Or

Barcelona (CNA).- The FC Barcelona triumphed at the 2015 FIFA Ballon d'Or awards ceremony. Messi once again conquers the award for the world's best player. The FC Barcelona striker returns to the summit of the sport after having previously won in 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012. In history, only four players have managed to win the Ballon d'Or as many as three times — Cristiano Ronaldo, Marco van Basten, Michel Platini, Johan Cruyff. Messi has now put some daylight between himself and them. Messi, Neymar, Alves and Iniesta were named to FIFA FIFPro World XI for 2015. All four made the prestigious team, which was voted on by nearly 25,000 professional footballers from 70 countries. To cape it all, Barça’s coach Luis Enrique won the FIFA Coach of the Year award.

In Greek mythology, King Midas will always be remembered for turning whatever he touched into gold. Lionel Messi is sure to be remembered in much the same way.

But while Messi may not be a true monarch, he is the undisputed king of world football.

On Monday evening at the Kongresshaus in Zürich, Switzerland, FC Barcelona's almighty number 10 won his fifth Ballon d'Or, once again reaching the apotheosis of the sport he has long dominated by reclaiming the award he had already won on four previous occasions — astonishingly, all in a row in 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012.  

In 2012 Messi became the first and only player to ever take home the Ballon d'Or four times. Now he has extended his unrivaled feat to five. 

In history, only four players have managed to win the Ballon d'Or as many as three times — Cristiano Ronaldo (2008, 2013 and 2014), Marco van Basten (1988, 1989 and 1992), Michel Platini (1983, 1984 and 1985) Johan Cruyff (1971, 1973, 1974). Messi has now put some daylight between himself and them.

Messi was a virtual shoe-in after leading FC Barcelona to another record-breaking run in 2015, during which they won an unprecedented second domestic treble and five major titles.

Messi scored 48 goals in 2015 and spearheaded the so-called trident, FC Barcelona's feared front line, along with Neymar and Luis Suárez.

And if all of that sounds impressive  — and it is — consider this: Messi is just 28 years old.

And he's still at the top his game.

Messi, Neymar, Alves and Iniesta were named to FIFA FIFPro World XI for 2015. All four made the prestigious team, which was voted on by nearly 25,000 professional footballers from 70 countries. To cape it all, Barça’s coach Luis Enrique won the best coach award. 

Neymar is the only one of the four to be named to the XI for the very first time

The FIFA FIFPro World XI for 2015 was unveiled at the FIFA Gala on Monday evening in Zurich, Switzerland and, as expected, FC Barcelona was well represented following another record-breaking year during which they bagged an unprecedented second domestic treble and five overall titles.

Leo Messi and Neymar Jr., who are also finalists in the 2015 Ballon d'Or, as well as midfielder Andrés Iniesta and full-back Dani Alves made the team.

In November a list of 50 finalists was announced, which included the following players from FC Barcelona: Jordi Alba, Javier Mascherano, Gerard Piqué, Sergio Busquets, Ivan Rakitic and Luis Suárez.

Rounding out the FIFPro World XI and the goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus / Italy), defenders Marcelo (Madrid / Brazil), Thiago Silva (Paris Saint-Germain / Brazil), Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid / Spain), midfielders Paul Pogba (Juventus / France) and James Rodríguez (Real Madrid / Colombia) and striker Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid / Portugal).

Luis Enrique named Coach of the Year

Luis Enrique has won the Coach of the Year award at the FIFA Ballon d’Or Gala in the Kongresshaus, Zurich on Monday. It comes in recognition of an incredible 2015 in which he led FC Barcelona to five out of six titles, and became the second manager of the club to win the treble of both domestic titles and the Champions League, rounding off a wonderful twelve months with the Club World Cup crown in Japan.

The Barça boss received 31.08% of the votes, ahead of Bayern Munich coach Pep Guardiola who received 22.97% and Chile national team coach Jorge Sampoali who received 9.47%.

Luis Enrique did not travel to Switzerland and the award was collected on his behalf by the first team technical secretary Robert Fernández.