Lionel Messi Ballon d'Or
Lionel Messi of Argentina and FC Barcelona speaks to the audience after receiving the Ballon d'or from acting FIFA President Issa Hayatou during the FIFA Ballon d'Or Gala 2015 at the Kongresshaus on January 11, 2016 in Zurich, Switzerland. (Photo by Matthias Hangst/Getty Images) Matthias Hangst/Getty Images

ZURICH – Lionel Messi took home a record fifth FIFA Ballon d'Or trophy on Monday when he was announced as the 2015 Men's Player of the Year winner ahead of teammate Neymar, and rival, Cristiano Ronaldo.

The best in the sport of soccer descended upon Switzerland on Monday for the 2015 Ballon d'Or ceremony. The awards show celebrates the games best players, coaches, and goals over a nearly two-hour ceremony.

The ceremony started with a rousing performance by 2 Cellos, who did there cello rendition of ACDC's "Thunderstruck." British pop singer, Leona Lewis, also performed later in the show.

Irish actor, James Nesbitt, and the strikingly beautiful, Kate Abdo, hosted the show as they introduced the nominees for both male and female players of the year.

Minutes before the announcement of the 2015 FIFA Ballon d'Or winner was announced, USA's, Carli Lloyd, took home the trophy for the Women's Player of the Year.

For the eighth consecutive year, the award for best male soccer player of the year came down to FC Barcelona's Lionel Messi and Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo. Messi just edged out his closest rival with more team accomplishments as FC Barcelona won five major trophies last season including the coveted, Treble.

Here are the full list of winners:

FIFPro World XI Award 2015:

Manuel Neuer – Goalkeeper - Bayern Munich
Thiago Silva –Defender - Paris St. Germain
Marcelo – Defender - Real Madrid
Sergio Ramos – Defender - Real Madrid
Dani Alves –Defender - FC Barcelona
Andres Iniesta –Midfielder - FC Barcelona
Luka Modric –Midfielder - Real Madrid
Paul Pogba – Midfielder - Juventus
Neymar – Forward - FC Barcelona
Lionel Messi – Forward - FC Barcelona
Cristiano Ronaldo – Forward - Real Madrid

FIFA 2015 Women's World Coach of the Year:

Jill Ellis – USA
Mark Sampson- England
Norio Sasaki – Japan

FIFA 2015 Men's World Coach of the Year:

Pep Guardiola – Bayern Munich
Luis Enrique – FC Barcelona
Jorge Sampaoli – Chile

FIFA 2015 Fair Play Award

Gerald Asamoah – Former German National Soccer Team Player (2001-2006)

2015 Puskas Award (Best Goal of the Year):

Lionel Messi – FC Barcelona
Alessandro Florenzi – A.S. Roma
Wendell Lira – Brazil

FIFA 2015 Women's Player of the Year:

Aya Miyami – Japan
Carli Lloyd – USA
Celia Sasic - Germany

FIFA 2015 Ballon d'Or Winner (Men's Player of the Year):

Cristiano Ronaldo – Real Madrid
Lionel Messi – FC Barcelona
Neymar – FC Barcelona

© 2024 Latin Times. All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.