Lionel Messi Crowned FIFA World Player of the Year 2011

For the third year in succession Lionel Messi has been crowned FIFA World Player of the Year.

The 24-year old Argentina and FC Barcelona forward received his award at FIFA’s headquarters in Zurich, Switzerland on Monday evening, beating club teammate Xavi and Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronald for the honor. All three players were named in the FIFA/FIFPro World XI along with Iker Casillas, Daniel Alves, Gerard Pique, Sergio Ramos, Nemanja Vidic, Andres Iniesta, Xabi Alonso and Wayne Rooney.

Messi obtained 47.88 percent of the points awarded to select FIFA Ballon d’Or winner in votes cast by national team coaches and captains and invited journalists. Cristiano Ronaldo received 21.6 percent while Xavi got 9.23 percent.