(dailynewyorknews) – Lionel Messi was crowned World Player of the Year for the third time in a row after winning the Golden Ball FIFA award at a ceremony in Zurich.
Argentine striker beat Barcelona teammate Xavi and Real Madrid Ronaldo, Cristiano for the prestigious title.
Messi, 24, becomes the fourth player in history to win three awards, matching the feat of the current UEFA president, Michel Platini and the Dutch duo Johan Cruyff and Marco van Basten.
“It’s a great pleasure for me,” said Messi after receiving the award.
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“This is the third time I won only a great honor that I want to thank all those involved in me -.. My teammates, coaches, physiotherapists, coach (Pep Guardiola) and everyone in Barcelona.
“I want to thank also the selection of Argentina.”
Messi had another brilliant year with Barcelona winning the Spanish league, the Champions League, UEFA Super Cup and Club World.
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Xavi, who also missed the Ballon d’Or Messi behind last year, said his team could be one of the best players the game has ever seen.
He said at the ceremony: “He is still young, barely 24 years old, and I think it will break all records that exist in the sport will be one of the best players in the history of sport. .”
Messi Club Manager Pep Guardiola was crowned Manager of the Year for the brain wins in four separate competitions, including the FIFA Club World Club, which confirmed Barcelona as the best team on the planet.
He said: “I dedicate this award to the thousands of people across more than one hundred years, worked for FC Barcelona and helped develop one of the best clubs in the world.
“It’s a privilege and an honor to be part of this great club, unbelievable.”
Neymar Brazilian striker who plays for his home country of Santos, has been named winner of the FIFA Puskas, named after the legendary striker Ferenc Puskas of Hungary, the goal of the year.
Homare Sawa of Japan was crowned FIFA World Player of the Year after the captain of his country to the woman the world title in football in Germany, while its director Norio Sasaki was named Coach of the Year for women’s football.
FIFA has also selected his team of the year: Iker Casillas (Real Madrid), Dani Alves (Barcelona), Gerard Pique (Barcelona), Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid), Nemanja Vidic (Manchester United), Andres Iniesta (Barcelona) , Xabi Alonso (Real Madrid), Xavi (Barcelona), Lionel Messi (Barcelona), Cristiano Ronaldo
(Real Madrid), Wayne Rooney (Manchester Utd).
Source: http://edition.cnn.com/2012/01/09/sport/football/football-fifa-ballon-messi/index.html?hpt=isp_c1
