Messi wins third consecutive Ballon d'Or

 

 

Lionel Messi clinched his record-equalling third consecutive Ballon d’Or, football’s highest individual award, after the Argentine forward was among the three shortlisted nominees named along with Cristiano Ronaldo, and Barcelona team mate Xavi.

 

Messi, who won the Ballon d’Or in 2009 and 2010, was the favourite to complete a hat-trick of titles after his man-of-the-match performance helped the Spanish side beat Manchester United in the Champions League final in May.

 

Former France international and current UEFA President Michel Platini won the Ballon d’Or for three consecutive years from 1983.

 

Last year, the FIFA Player of the Year and the Ballon d’Or awards merged into the FIFA Ballon d’Or and votes now come from the coaches and captains of international teams as well as from journalists.

 

Messi thanked all those who voted for him: players, mates, trainers and journalists and he saif he wanted to share the prize with the Barca footballers and the Argentine Team since all of them made the it possible.

 

The winner was announced in Zurich with 1987 Ballon d’Or winner Ruud Gullit of Netherlands presiding over the ceremony.

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