LIONEL MESSI strengthened his claim to be considered the greatest footballer of all time by winning a fourth consecutive Fifa Ballon d’Or last night.
The 25-year-old took the honour ahead of Barcelona team-mate Andres Iniesta and Real Madrid striker Cristiano Ronaldo at an awards ceremony in Zurich.
The Argentina forward 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: “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.”
Messi polled 41.60% of the votes, with Ronaldo taking 23.68% and Iniesta 10.91%.
Although he missed out on both the Primera Division and Champions League crowns, Messi racked up a host of personal achievements last year.
He scored an unprecedented 50 goals in a La Liga season, a record 14 goals in a Champions League season and became the first player to net five times in a Champions League match.
He also shattered the myth that he does not perform as well for Argentina as he does for his club by scoring 12 goals for his country in nine games.
The award was voted for by national team coaches and captains and invited journalists.
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 made 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.