Messi is World Best for the Third Time. Beats Ronaldo and Xavi

Lionel Messi was on Monday awarded the 2011 FIFA Ballon d'Or at a star-studded ceremony in Zurich, the third consecutive year that he has won the prestigious award for the world's outstanding footballer.



The 24-year-old Barcelona and Argentina forward finished ahead of his Real Madrid rival Cristiano Ronaldo and Barca team-mate Xavi.



The Argentine received 47.88 per cent of the overall vote, with Cristiano claiming 21.6% and Xavi in third with 9.23%.



"It's a great personal pleasure for me,"

"It's the third time I've won it. It's just an.

amazing honour. I want to thank everyone

that's been involved with me — my team-

mates, trainers, physios, the coach (Pep

Guardiola) and everyone at Barcelona.



"I'd also like to thank the Argentina national.

team as well."

Messi becomes only the second player, after Michel Platini, to win the award for three consecutive years.



Barcelona's Pep Guardiola won the coach's

award ahead of Manchester United's Alex

Ferguson and Jose Mourinho of Real Madrid.

Ferguson took the FIFA presidential award for

outstanding service to the sport.









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