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Lionel Messi wins FIFA world player award for 5th time

Argentina's Lionel Messi, one of the nominees for the FIFA Ballon d'Or 2015 award, attends a press conference prior to the FIFA Ballon d'Or awarding ceremony at the Kongresshaus in Zurich, Switzerland, Monday, Jan. 11, 2016. (Walter Bieri/Keystone via AP)
Argentina's Lionel Messi, one of the nominees for the FIFA Ballon d'Or 2015 award, attends a press conference prior to the FIFA Ballon d'Or awarding ceremony at the Kongresshaus in Zurich, Switzerland, Monday, Jan. 11, 2016. (Walter Bieri/Keystone via AP) Argentina's Lionel Messi, one of the nominees for the FIFA Ballon d'Or 2015 award, attends a press conference prior to the FIFA Ballon d'Or awarding ceremony at the Kongresshaus in Zurich, Switzerland, Monday, Jan. 11, 2016. (Walter Bieri/Keystone via AP)

By Associated Press 1 min read

ZURICH (AP) – Lionel Messi has won the FIFA world player of the year award for a record fifth time.

Messi ended Cristiano Ronaldo’s two-year hold on the Ballon d’Or trophy, soccer’s top individual honor.

The Barcelona forward regained the prize after his club won five major titles last year, leaving Ronaldo’s Real Madrid with nothing.

Ronaldo ended up in second place, with Barcelona striker Neymar in third.

Voting was by national team captains and coaches, plus invited journalists, from FIFA member countries.