Messi Wins Fifa Ballon d'Or for Third Consecutive Year

Barcelona striker Lionel Messi, named the world player of the year, has won the 2011 FIFA Ballon d'Or for the third successive year.

The 24-year-old became only the fourth player in the history of football to win the award for the third time along with Dutch legends Johan Cruyff and Marco van Basten and Frenchman Michel Platini.

Messi beat Barcelona team-mate Xavi Hernandez and Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo to claim the award at the Ballon d'Or gala at the Kongresshaus in Zurich, Switzerland.

The Argentine star dedicated the award to his coach and team-mates, reserving special mention for Xavi.