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Lionel Messi wins unprecedented fifth Ballon d'Or

Barcelona forward Lionel Messi wins an unprecedented fifth FIFA Ballon d'Or award, edging out competition from Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar.

Barcelona attacker Lionel Messi has won the FIFA Ballon d'Or for a record fifth time.

The Argentine overcame competition from perennial rival Cristiano Ronaldo, who had won the award for the last two years, and Barca teammate Neymar, who was in the top three for the first time.

Lionel Messi receives the Ballon d'Or during the FIFA Ballon d'Or Gala 2015 at the Kongresshaus on January 11, 2016© Getty Images

Messi and Neymar, alongside Luis Suarez, spearheaded a record-breaking front three to fire Barcelona to five trophies in 2015, including a memorable treble of La Liga, Copa del Rey and the Champions League last season.

The trio scored 122 goals for Barca in the 2014-15 campaign, with Messi providing 58 of those, including a memorable solo effort in the Copa del Rey final that made it into the top three for the 2015 Puskas Award.

The 28-year-old also broke the record for the most hat-tricks in Spanish football history and most La Liga assists during 2015, finishing the year by scoring in the FIFA Club World Cup final and then again on his 500th appearance for the club.

Messi had previously won the Ballon d'Or four years in a row between 2009 and 2012, but missed out to Ronaldo in 2013 and 2014.

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The FIFA FIFPro World XI assembles on stage at Ballon d'Or Gala 2015 at the Kongresshaus on January 11, 2016
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TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Barcelona14111242142834
2Real Madrid1393128111730
3Atletico MadridAtletico148512181329
4Villarreal137422521425
5Athletic Bilbao146532013723
6Osasuna146441922-322
7GironaGirona146352018221
8Mallorca146351312121
9Real BetisBetis145541616020
10Real Sociedad145361111018
11Celta Vigo145362224-218
12Sevilla145361318-518
13Rayo Vallecano134451314-116
14Leganes143561319-614
15Getafe142751011-113
16AlavesAlaves144191524-913
17Las PalmasLas Palmas143381825-712
18Valencia122461219-710
19Espanyol133191226-1410
20Real ValladolidValladolid142391027-179


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