Lionel Messi won a record-breaking fourth consecutive FIFA Ballon d'Or at an awards ceremony in Zurich. The 25-year-old Argentinian took the honour ahead of Barcelona team-mate Andres Iniesta and Real Madrid striker Cristiano Ronaldo.
Messi enjoyed a remarkable 2012 even by his own high standards, most notably surpassing Gerd Muller's 40-year-old record of 85 goals in a calendar year, finishing with an incredible 91. Messi said: 'To tell you the truth this is really quite unbelievable. The fourth award that I have had is just too great for words. 'I would like to recognise my other colleagues from Barcelona; Andres it has been great to train and play alongside you. 'I would also like to recognise all of my friends in the Argentinian national team, everyone that has worked with me, coaches and staff and my family and my friends. Also my wife and my son. Thank you.
The top English player in the list was Manchester United's Wayne Rooney who came 15th with 0.39 per cent of the votes. Speaking at the pre-gala press conference, Messi claimed he did not consider 2012 his best year yet. He said: 'I'm more interested in team awards than I am about what I might win individually. There have been years where we won more titles that have been better.'
Messi's team-mates and rivals paid tribute to him. Barca midfielder Cesc Fabregas wrote on Twitter: 'Congratulations Leo, fourth time as the best player of ballon d’or, you deserve it. And also to @andresiniesta8, huge to be there.' Argentina team-mate Sergio Aguero simply Tweeted: 'Messi, Messi, Messi, Messi.' Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand Tweeted: "Congrats to Messi! Wow,4 yrs in a row!! Messi has added something else to his list of 'the only person to....' #isMessiTheBestOfAllTime ??
Fenerbahce's Miroslav Stoch won the FIFA Puskas Award for goal of the year, Spain boss Vicente Del Bosque was named World Coach of the Year and United States international Abby Wambach won Women's World Player of the Year.
The FIFPro World XI was named up entirely of players based in Spain with Barcelona's Dani Alves, Gerard Pique and Xavi, Real Madrid's Iker Casillas, Marcelo, Sergio Ramos and Xabi Alonso and Atletico Madrid's Radamel Falcao joining the three Ballon d'Or nominees in the team.
Franz Beckenbauer received the FIFA Presidential Award.
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