By the numbers: How Messi's 5th Ballon d'Or win stacks up

Football's worst secret was made official on Monday, when Lionel Messi claimed the coveted FIFA Ballon d'Or award at the governing body's annual gala in Zurich, Switzerland.

Related - Back on top: Lionel Messi captures record 5th Ballon d'Or

In beating out Cristiano Ronaldo and teammate Neymar for the prize, the Argentine attacker set a new standard for greatness, winning the award for a record fifth time.

Here are some of the numbers behind his unprecedented achievement:

3 - Only three countries have won as many Ballon d'Or awards as Messi has captured on his own

5 - No other player has won football's most coveted individual honour more times than the pint-sized Argentine

(Courtesy: Paul Carr)

9 - Messi still has plenty of work to do if he hopes to catch some fellow sporting legends

11 - Barcelona has seen one of its players win the award more times than any other club

Along with Messi's five crowns (2009, 2010, 2011, 2012), Barcelona has watched on with pride as one of its own has captured the award on six other occasions.

Dutch icon Johan Cruyff took home the hardware in 1973 and 1974, while Ronaldinho (2005), Rivaldo (1999), Hristo Stoichkov (1994), and Luis Suarez (1960) have all been bestowed with the honour while donning the famous Blaugrana shirt.