Lionel Messi wins 2015 Ballon d'Or

The Barcelona star capped a stunning year with his fifth World Player of the Year gong, beating off competition from teammate Neymar and Real Madrid rival Cristiano Ronaldo.

Lionel Messi has won the 2015 FIFA Ballon d'Or ahead of Real Madrid rival Cristiano Ronaldo and Barcelona team mate Neymar, scooping up the prestigious award at Monday's ceremony in Zurich.

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, having picked up the award in each of the last two seasons