Former Germany captain Philipp Lahm has slammed FIFA's Ballon d'Or award for the world player of the year as nothing more than a "marketing prize". The Bayern Munich full-back said the award favoured "the most popular players" over more deserving ones. Barcelona star Lionel Messi was handed the award for a record fifth time at a ceremony in Zurich on Monday. He and Real Madrid rival Cristiano Ronaldo have shared the last eight Ballon d'Or awards between them.

"I think if FIFA wants to attribute a reward, it mustn't be a marketing prize that only honours the most celebrity individuals in the world of football," Lahm told goal.com. Lahm said the vote might as well be had on social media site Facebook, before complaining about favouritism shown to forwards, describing the Ballon d'Or as an award for "attacker of the year".

Copyright Agence France-Presse, 2016