Argentine player Lionel Messi was voted the best player in the world for the third year running when he was awarded the FIFA Ballon d’Or award in Zurich, Switzerland. This is only the second year of the award’s existence after the FIFA and France Football Magazine merged their Player of the Year and Ballon d’Or awards.

Messi joins the ranks of Frenchman Zidane and Brazilian Ronaldo to be voted Player of the Year three times, as well as Michel Platini, the current UEFA president, who won the old Ballon d’Or three years straight. The latter asserted that Messi wanted to add a World Cup trophy to be considered the very best of all time.

Messi received the support of 48 percent of the votes, with his teammate Xavi Hernadez on 9%. In 2nd place was Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo, who was the 2008 Player of the Year, but whose style is extremely different to the modest Messi.

After being allocated the award Messi wished to thank the other players and staff at FC Barcelona, including the coach Pep Guardiola who was voted the Coach of the Year prize beating Sit Alex Ferguson of Manchester United and Jose Mourinho of Real Madrid. Ironically Guardiola has been tipped to replace Ferguson at Man Utd next season.

Messi went on to tell the gala’s audience that he needed to share the award with Xavi as he considered that he deserved it as much as he probably did and how much he enjoyed playing along side him. Contrast that with Ronaldo, who you might never imagine thanking anyone for anything.

Ferguson was also enthusiastic to add on the praise, pronouncing that Messi was as good as any other player and could play in any generation of football. He also feted FC Barcelona, who doubtlessly benefit from having Messi on their side.

Read more about Messi’s 3rd consecutive UEFA Player of the Year trophy at Simply Barcelona Tickets and if you’d like Lionel Messi in action you can reserve Barcelona FC tickets for matches at the Nou Camp.