Messi wins fourth straight Ballon d’Or

Barcelona’s Lionel Messi has been awarded the Ballon d’Or for  a record breaking fourth consecutive year at tonight’s awards ceremony in Zurich.

The 25-year old Argentinian who hit 91 goals in a calendar year took the title ahead of fellow team mate Andres Iniesta and Real Madrid striker Cristiano Ronaldo.

An emotional Messi said: “To tell you the truth 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. I would also like to recognise my friends in the Argentina team, everyone that has worked with me, coaches and staff and my family and friends. Also my wife and son.

“I’m more interested in team awards than I am about what I might win individually. There have been years where we won more titles that have been better.”

Messi’s team-mates and rivals paid tribute to  him.

Barca midfielder Cesc Fabregas wrote on  Twitter: ‘Congratulations Leo, forth time as the best player of £ballondor, you  deserve it. And also to @andresiniesta8, huge to be there.’

Argentina team-mate Sergio Aguero simply  Tweeted: ‘Messi, Messi, Messi, Messi.’

Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand  Tweeted: “Congrats to Messi! Wow,4 yrs in a row!! Messi has added something else  to his list of ‘the only person to….’ #isMessiTheBestOfAllTime ??’

Messi who polled 41.6% of the votes, with Ronaldo taking 23.68% and Iniesta 10.91% – was always favourite to win the award.

Speaking at the pre-gala press conference,  Messi claimed he did not consider 2012 his best year yet.

He said: ‘I’m more interested in team awards  than I am about what I might win individually. There have been years where we  won more titles that have been better.’

Messi also featured in the team of the year, which was made up of 10 players from Barca and Real Madrid plus Atletico Madrid striker Radamel Falcao.

USA forward Wambach was named women’s world player of the year, the first American to win the award since Mia Hamm in 2002.

Del Bosque and Pia Sundhage collected the men’s and women’s coaching gongs for their work with Spain and USA respectively.