Ballon d'or 2012 : Triple crowned MESSI

Lionel Messi has won the Fifa Ballon d'Or prize for the best player of 2011 at a ceremony in Zurich, Switzerland.

He becomes only the fourth player in history to win the trophy three times.

The Argentine, 24, beat off competition from Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo and team-mate Xavi.

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson won the presidential award for services to football, while Barcelona's Pep Guardiola was voted coach of the year.

Lionel Messi has claimed the title of the world's best player for a third straight year after winning the FIFA Ballon d'Or at an awards gala in Zurich.

Barcelona's 24-year-old Argentine striker beat team-mate Xavi and Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo to pick up the prestigious prize once again.

Messi, man of the match in the UEFA Champions League final in 2011, also won the Primera Division, Spanish Supercopa, UEFA Super Cup and Club World Cup last year.

Xavi paid tribute to the winner, tipping Messi to go from strength to strength and take his place at the head of football's pantheon of all-time legends.