Messi wins third straight Ballon d'Or, Sawa unseats Marta to win women's title

As if Lionel Messi needed any more evidence to prove that he is greatest player in the world.

Messi captured the Ballon d'Or for the third consecutive year, beating out Cristiano Ronaldo and Xavi to add yet another item to his trophy case. The 24-year-old Barcelona maestro received 47.

Related

• Ballon d’Or: It’s Messi’s World, No. 3
• FIFA Ballon D’or Winners 2012
• FIFA Ballon D’Or Special: Homare Sawa’s Kimono, Leo Messi’s Day, Neymar’s Puskas Surprise, Sir Alex Ferguson’s Honour & More
• Messi wins yet another FIFA Balon d'Or
• Rooney and Vida In FIFA World XI
• Messi Balón de Oro 2011.
• El equipo ideal de la FIFA 2011los 11 mejores futbolistas del año
• Leo Messi deservingly wins his third consecutive Ballon D'Or