Ballon d'Or: Lionel Messi ends Cristiano Ronaldo's winning streak

Ballon d'Or: Lionel Messi ends Cristiano Ronaldo's winning streak


Ballon D Or 2016, Fifa Ballon D Or 2016, Ballon D Or 2015
Ballon D Or 2016, Fifa Ballon D Or 2016, Ballon D Or 2015

Messi had won four of the previous seven awards, while Ronaldo claimed three

It follows a remarkable year for Messi, who helped Barca win a 23rd Spanish championship at Ronaldo and Real's expense and five trophies overall

He scored 52 goals in 61 games as Barca also won the Spanish Cup and the European Champions League in the 2014-15 season

Barca's front three of Messi, Brazil star Neymar -- nominated for the award for the first time -- and Uruguay's Luis Suarez scored 122 times all competitions, a new Spanish record

Ronaldo netted 57 times in 57 games but did not win a trophy, though he helped Portugal qualify for the Euro 2016 finals in France. He has surpassed Messi as the all-time top scorer in the Champions League while also becoming the top marksman in the history of Real -- the world's most decorated club