Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi has been awarded the 2015 Ballon d'Or, beating team-mate Neymar and Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo to the coveted gong:
The Argentinian is now a five-time Ballon d'Or winner, and this latest award is deserved recognition for his huge contribution in a momentous year for Barcelona.
"It's a very special moment for me," Messi said as he accepted the award. "It's incredible that it's my fifth. It's much more than I dreamed of as a kid."
The Catalan giants won the UEFA Champions League, La Liga, the Copa del Rey, the UEFA Super Cup and the Club World Cup in 2015, with Messi instrumental in all five triumphs.