[B]arcelona and Argentina superstar, Lionel Messi’s place among the greatest legends of the game was confirmed on Monday night with his emergence of world’s best player for a record 5th time.
Messi defeated 3 time winner and Real Madrid and Portugal forward Cristiano Ronaldo and Barcelona teammate, Neymar in the annual poll organised by soccer’s governing body FIFA.
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.
In another category, Luis Enrique was named men coach of the year after he led Barcelona to La Liga and Champion League victory.
America’s Jill Ellis was named women coach of the year after she led America to Women World Cup victory in Canada last year. America’s Carli Lloyd was also named Women footballer of the year.
2015 Fifa XI consisted majorly of players from La Liga. They include Manuel Neuer, Marcelo, Silva, Sergio Ramos, Dani Alves, Andres Iniesta, Luka Modric, Pogba, Neymar, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
