Seven best moments from the 2015 FIFA Ballon d'Or Gala as Lionel Messi beats Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar
The Footballer of the Year: Lionel Messi bags his fifth Ballon d’Or TrophyNow, it wasn't a very unexpected conclusion, this time around, as most of us saw this coming. It was Lionel Messi’s night, and everyone knew it from the beginning. With the kind of performances that he had displayed last season, it shouldn’t have come as a surprise that he would go on to beat rival and Real Madrid superstar Cristiano Ronaldo and his protegé and team-mate Neymar. The 2015 Ballon d’Or ceremony was held in Zurich Switzerland on Monday night, and the night was more about savouring a stunning year of football. This gala continues to be one of the most prestigious nights in football year in and year out, even though there is no actual football being played. It's popularity, however, is setting new benchmarks, with this year’s event no exception. It was a great event indeed. Or at least, it looked like one.Great things were said, great photos were clicked and great moments were lived. To sum up the entire event, we bring you the best moments from the 2015 FIFA Ballon d’Or in this slideshow. What was your favourite moment from the event? Comment below.
#1 A night to remember for Lionel Messi and the world
Lionel Messi was adjudged to be the best player in the world once again. Actually, the fifth time to be precise, a feat that will take some time for any other player to surpass after having previously won in 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012. The FC Barcelona and Argentina national team forward was an overwhelming favourite with 41.33% of the votes while Real Madrid’s Ronaldo came in second with 27.76%. Messi’s Barcelona teammate Neymar came in third with just 7.86% of the votes.
Read more: Who did Messi, Ronaldo and Neymar vote for? Who finished in the top 10?
“It is incredible it is my fifth, more than I dreamed of as a kid. I would like to thank all who voted for me, my teammates and football in general for everything it has brought me, bad and good, it has made me grow and learn always,” he said after being handed the trophy by 2007 Ballon d’Or winner Ricardo Kaka.
"It's a very special moment for me, winning another Ballon d'Or after being in the audience watching Cristiano win the last two years,” he added. "I want to thank all who voted for me and my teammates who without none of this would be possible.”
Last season was an incredibly successful one for Messi as he led a newly formed trio with Neymar and Luis Suarez, scoring 48 times in the calendar year for Barcelona. In all competitions, his tally stood at 52 goals and 27 assists from a total of 61 appearances. Ronaldo may have scored more goals (57 in total) from the same number of matches, but Messi got the nod as he helped Barcelona win five major titles.
Here are some of Messi’s most candid photos from the event:
