Barcelona striker Lionel Messi claimed a record sixth Ballon d'Or award while USA women's World Cup superstar Megan Rapinoe picked up the coveted accolade for the second time here on Monday.

Messi, who last won the Ballon d'Or in 2015, moved one ahead of Christiano Ronaldo after the pair had won five awards each. It was Croatia's Luka Modric who was bestowed with the title last year after ending a decade-long dominance between two celebrated football icons.