Messi wins Ballon d'Or

" The FIFA Ballon d'Or was created following the merger of France Football magazine's Footballer of the Year prize with the FIFA World Player of the Year gong. As such, it is awarded based on votes cast by journalists from around the world, as well as coaches and captains of national teams. Messi was the holder of both titles and therefore joins former Brazil striker Ronaldo, Ronaldinho and Zinedine Zidane as a multiple winner of the latter accolade. Alfredo Di Stefano, Johan Cruyff, Franz Beckenbauer, Kevin Keegan Michel Platini, Marco van Basten, Karl-Heinz Rummenigge and Ronaldo are the only other men to win the Ballon d'Or more than once. Award list in full: Men's Player of the Year: Lionel Messi (Barcelona and Argentina).