Messi handed fourth Ballon d'Or

Lionel Messi beat off competition from Barcelona team-mate Andres Iniesta and Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo to win the Ballon d'Or for a fourth year in a row.

The 25-year-old enjoyed an outstanding 2012, scoring 91 goals, and becomes the first player to win the award in four successive years. He netted 79 goals for Barcelona, plus another 12 for Argentina, in 69 games for club and country.

Despite Messi's brilliance, Barcelona failed to win the Spanish league title or the Champions League last season. Barcelona are 1.01  to win the La Liga title in the 2012-13 campaign and 3.00  to clinch the Champions League.

Abby Wambach won the women's award and Vicente del Bosque the coach accolade, while the team of the year consisted entirely of players from La Liga. The only player included that is not currently starring for Real Madrid or Barcelona is Atletico Madrid striker Radamel Falcao.

"To tell you the truth this is really quite unbelievable," said Argentina international Messi after being handed the trophy. "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.

"I would also like to recognise all of my friends in the Argentina national team, everyone that has worked with me, coaches and staff and my family and my friends. Also my wife and my son. Thank you."

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