Lionel Messi Wins 2011 FIFA Ballon d’Or Awards in Zurich

Thursday, January 12th, 2012 at 11:43 am , filed under News by Craig Farrell

E-mail

0 Comments

119 Views

ReTweet

Ads

Barcelona’s & Argentina player Lionel Messi wins for the Best Player of 2011, finished ahead of his Real Madrid rival, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Barca team-mate Xavi in FIFA’s 2011 FIFA Ballon d’Or soccer awards ceremony at the Kongresshaus in Zurich Jan. 9.

The 24-year-old international player has become the second player in history to win the high-status (Fifa Ballon d’Or) award for three consecutive times. FIFA World Player of the Year holds his FIFA Ballon d’Or 2011 trophy next to singer Shakira during the FIFA Ballon d’Or 2011 awards (picture below).

Messi becomes only the second player, after present UEFA president Michel Platini to win the award for three successive years. He also joins Platini, Marco van Basten and Johan Cruyff as the only men to have won the prize on three occasions.

Messi offered the award to his Barca and Argentina side-mates, but made a unique note to Xavi, who has yet to win the Ballon d’Or honor despite being nominated in the last three years. It is a huge pleasure and honor to win this third award – Messi said. He wanted to share trophy with those who voted for him, his coach and his team-mates at Barca and in the Argentina national team.

Moreover, he wants to share this award especially with his pal Xavi. This is the fourth time that we are together at this splendid ceremony and it is a pleasure for him to be with him on the pitch. Messi combined 47.88% of the votes, ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo (21.6%) and Xavi (9.23%).

Lionel Messi was the strong favorite to hold his prize, after a year in which he motivated his club to 5 trophies, including the UEFA Champions League, the FIFA Club World Cup and a third successive Spanish La Liga title. This season he has scored his 200th goals for Barcelona FC club.

Ads

Tags: 2011 FIFA Awards, 2011 FIFA Ballon d'Or Awards in Zurich, Cristiano Ronaldo, FIFA Ballon d'Or 2011 Awards, FIFA Club World Cup, Lionel Messi, Lionel Messi and Shakira, Lionel Messi Fifa Ballon d'Or, Lionel Messi Wins 2011 FIFA Ballon d'Or Award, Xavi