Lionel Messi scoops FIFA Ballon d'Or award and is crowned world's best player ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar

Lionel Messi moved brilliance to another level as he was presented with the Ballon d’Or for the fifth time in his extraordinary career.

The greatest player of this generation was recognised by international captains, managers and journalists for his outstanding performances during 2015, when Barcelona became the first team to complete the treble of league, cup and Champions League for the second time.

Messi’s performances were, at times, mesmerising and his highlights from the past 12 months include his goal against Bayern Munich in the Champions League semi-final, when he chipped Manuel Neuer from six yards, and his solo run against Athletic Bilbao in the Copa del Rey final. 

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Barcelona star Lionel Messi poses with the Ballon d'Or award after claiming the gong for the fifth time in his career on Monday night

Messi is congratulated by Barcelona team-mate and fellow finalist Neymar after receiving 41.33 per cent of the votes to scoop the award

Cristiano Ronaldo shakes the hand of winner Messi having missed out on claiming the prize for the third consecutive year

Messi smiles with former Brazil international Kaka who presented the Argentina international with the award having won it himself in 2007

The Ballon d'Or finalists react as Kaka reveals the winner to be Messi - Neymar grins while Ronaldo appeared to show little emotion

Ronaldo and Messi - considered by many to be the two greatest players on the planet - sit side-by-side ahead of the ceremony

Messi smiles as Real Madrid star Ronaldo greets the Argentine's partner Antonella Roccuzzo at the Kongresshaus as Neymar looks on

Barcelona forward and Brazil international Neymar - complete with bow tie and bowler hat - was the third finalist for the main award

Messi touches the award during his winner's speech (left) and poses for a selfie with grinning Ballon d'Or presenter James Nesbitt

Messi holds his son Thiago as Barcelona team-mate Dani Alves jokes around with the youngster backstage following the ceremony

That goal was a contender for the Puskas Award, which is given to mark the previous year’s golden goal, but on this occasion, Messi had to settle for minor honours. Wendell Lira, a Brazilian forward, won it for his spectacular overhead kick for Goianesia.

Still, he arrived in Zurich on Monday at the peak of his powers, which was a stark contrast to 12 months ago when he was sullen amid intense speculation that all was not well behind the scenes at the Nou Camp after Messi had been dropped for a game against Real Sociedad.

His numbers since, though, have been stunning, with 53 appearances for Barcelona over the calendar year yielding 48 goals and 23 assists. Cristiano Ronaldo, his great foe, may have outscored him – 54 in 52 games for Real Madrid – but Messi’s form has been on another level. Those figures would have been even greater had a hamstring injury not cost him two months.

‘It is a very special moment for me to be back on this stage having watched Cristiano (Ronaldo) win it for the last two years,’ said Messi, who was clearly overcome when presented with the award in Zurich’s Kongresshaus.

‘It is incredible that it is my fifth Ballon d’Or, it is more than anything I could have dreamed of when I was a kid. I want to thank all my team-mates as without them none of this would be possible. I also want to thank football for everything, both the good and the bad. It has made me learn.’ 

There is undoubtedly a degree of ostentation to the Ballon d’Or ceremony, which is growing bigger by the year, but that should not detract from how remarkable Messi has been over the past decade. He has been first or second every year since 2008. 

To put this into context, luminaries such as Zinedine Zidane, Ronaldinho and Luis Figo only won the Ballon d’Or once and it is difficult to imagine a time in the future when his figure is eclipsed. Certainly, his compatriot Ezequiel Lavazzi, the Paris Saint-Germain forward, thinks that will be impossible as he envisages more success for Messi. 

Messi takes centre stage with microphone as he is interviewed by hosts James Nesbitt and Kate Abdo at the glitzy event in Zurich

Real Madrid No 7 and Portugal international Ronaldo gives the thumbs up with a beaming smile after being interviewed on stage

Messi poses for a photo alongside his long-term partner Antonella Roccuzzo at the Ballon d'Or Gala on Monday night in Switzerland

‘He is breaking all kinds of records,’ said Lavezzi of a player who has scored 458 goals for Barcelona. ‘When is he going to stop? It all depends on him, really. When it comes to difficult games, he is always there. He makes a difference when teams most need it. He can score any type of goal. He can be on the pitch for a little, score two goals then he goes home happy.’

So what was Messi’s highlight of 2015? And what is the motivation to keep going when he has done everything there is to be done in Catalonia?

‘I try to beat my previous self and reach all our goals,’ said Messi. ‘Last year thankfully I managed to reach almost all of them. It was an amazing year that filled us with pride after such good work. It is hard to single out one moment. Our year was full of happiness and victories. It is hard to pick one. 

‘These are good players (at Barcelona) with extraordinary quality. We hope that they are going to make us grow. I feel proud of having achieved everything that I have achieved, all my titles. It is always harder to win when you have won before. To come here for the ninth time is truly amazing.’ 

Wednall Lira wept after winning the FIFA Puskas Award ahead of Messi for his finish in a stunning team goal move by Goianesia in Brazil

Barcelona manager Luis Enrique was named FIFA's World Coach of the Year at the Ballon d'Or ceremony after winning five titles in 2015

Barcelona technical secretary Robert Fernandez was on hand in Zurich to accept the Coach of the Year award on Enrique's behalf

USA and Houston Dash star Carli Lloyd collected the FIFA Women's World Player of the Year award at the Ballon d'Or 2015 ceremony

United States coach Jill Ellis collected the FIFA Women's World Coach of the Year at the Ballon d'Or 2015 ceremony in Switzerland

If there is to be someone who comes and challenges his supremacy in the future, it will be his colleague Neymar. The Brazilian, who is every inch a superstar, looks primed to get better and better in Barcelona. He has thrived under Luis Enrique, who was named Coach of the Year, but all he is thinking of for the moment is about self-improvement.

‘I don’t know if I am up to their level,’ Neymar said, when asked how he compares himself to Messi and Ronaldo. ‘These are two idols and if you have idols, it is difficult to perceive yourself as an equal or better. I have admired them for many years and it is an honour to be here with them.

‘I want to improve every single match and that is more important than being better than them. I am happy. The goals I have to thank my team-mates for that, Leo and the others. We set our own goals, our own history. Those two have made history and are still making it.’ 

L-R: Thiago Silva, Luka Modric Marcelo, Paul Pogba, Sergio Ramos, Neymar, Dani Alves, Lionel Messi, Andres Iniesta and Cristiano Ronaldo pose after being selected in FIFA's FIFPro World XI for 2015  

L-R: Barcelona quarter Neymar, Alves, Messi, Iniesta and Real Madrid's Ronaldo pose for the camera having made FIFA's Team of the Year

Messi is greeted by former Barcelona star and team-mate Samuel Eto'o on stage having been named in FIFA's Team of the Year for 2015

British pop star and former X Factor winner Leona Lewis took to the stage to perform at the ceremony