Barcelona forward Lionel Messi has won the Ballon d'Or award for the world's best player for the fifth time.

The Barca star reclaimed the prize from his Real Madrid rival as he returned to the top of his game.

The 28-year-old Argentine had 41.33% of the vote, with Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo (27.76%) second and Barca's Neymar (7.86%) third.

Either Messi or Ronaldo, who became a three-time winner last year, have won the past eight awards.