Lionel Messi has been awarded the Ballon d’Or for a fourth year running.
He beat Barcelona team-mate Andres Iniesta and Real Madrid’s Ronaldo to the trophy, given every year to the world’s best football player.
25-year-old Messi netted 91 goals in 2012, setting a new world record for the most goals scored in a year.
But despite having this super striker on side, Barcelona failed to win either the Spanish league title or Champions League.
Messi found out he was the winner at a ceremony in Zurich, Switzerland on Monday.
He was part of a three-man shortlist for the prize, which is voted for by journalists, and national coaches and captains.
He becomes the first player to win four Ballons d’Or in a row, breaking another record.
“To tell you the truth this is really quite unbelievable,” the Argentine side. “The fourth award that I have had is just too great for words.”
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- Messi claims fourth Ballon d’Or (bbc.co.uk)
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