Real Madrid rival Cristiano Ronaldo and Barcelona team-
mate Neymar, claiming the prestigious award at Monday's
ceremony in Zurich.
Messi received 41.33 per cent of the votes, with Ronaldo
(27.76%) in second place and Neymar (7.86%) third.
It is the Argentina international's fifth World Player of the
Year title - more than any other player in history - and
thwarts Ronaldo's quest to tie his haul of gongs, with the
Madrid star having picked up the award in each of the last
two seasons.
"It's a very special moment for me, to be back here on this
stage winning another Ballon d'Or after being in the
audience watching Cristiano win for two years," Messi said
upon receiving his award.
"It's incredible that it's my fifth, it's much more than
anything I dreamed of as a kid.
"I want to thank all those who voted for me first of all. I also
want to thank obviously my team-mates, as I always say
without them none of this would ever have been possible.
"And lastly I want to thank football for everything it has
brought me - both the bad and the good - because it has
made me grow and learn always."
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