FIFA Ballon d'Or 2015 goes to Lionel Messi

January 12, 2016

Yesterday, Argentina and FC Barcelona football star Lionel Messi won the  in the FIFA event, hosted in Zürich, Switzerland. The Ballon d'Or is an annual award given to the player voted to be the best of the year.

Messi along with his Barcelona teammate and Portuguese star  were shortlisted by FIFA back in November. Having won five major trophies in the 2015 calendar year, which included the  in December in Japan against Argentine club  in which he scored the first goal, Messi won 41.33% of the votes.

Winner in previous years Ronaldo secured 27.76% of the votes, and Messi's teammate Neymar won 7.86%. 2007 Ballon d'Or winner and Brazilian player announced the winner of the Gala. Messi played 61 games in 2015, and scored 52 goals. He also provided 26 assists. He also scored in each of the six tournaments.

At the ceremony, Messi said

Messi previously won the best player of the year; and  with 49 votes out of 54, leaving behind his teammate  and Ronaldo who got three and two votes respectively. He also won a silver medal in the 2015 Copa América when Argentina lost to the hosts Chile on penalties.

Messi previously won the award for four consecutive years from 2009 to 2012. Ronaldo and Messi between them have won the trophy for the past eight years. Neymar this year became the first top-three Brazilian since 's 2007 win.

Messi voted for his teammates Neymar, Suárez, and ; Neymar voted for Messi, Suárez, and. Neymar at the ceremony said "It is a dream for me to be here, it's a victory".