The FIFA Ballon d’Or 2012 took place in Switzerland on Monday evening and there was only one surprise result.
Barcelona’s Lionel Messi has created history once more after he was crowned the best player in the world again and becoming the first player to win four successive Ballon d’Or, eclipsing Michel Platini who had won three on the bounce in 1983, 1984 and 1985.
The 25 year-old Argentine beat off competition from his fellow teammate Andres Iniesta and Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo to the award in a ceremony in Zurich which was handed to him by former winner Fabio Cannavaro. Messi won with 41.6% of the vote with Cristiano Ronaldo coming second with 23.7% and Iniesta third with 10.9%.
After receiving his award, Messi spoke of his delight to pick up the award for a record breaking fourth successive time. “To tell you the truth, it is really unbelievable to win this award for the fourth consecutive time.” said the Argentine.”
“I would like to recognise my other colleagues from Barcelona: Iniesta it has been great to train and play alongside you. I would also like to recognise all of my friends in the Argentinian national team.
“Everyone that has worked with me coaches and staff and my family and my friends.
“Also my wife and my son. Thank you.”
A fourth “Golden Ball” is just reward for the Barcelona phenomenon after he broke Gerd Muller’s 40-year old record in 2012 of 85 goals after scoring a double against Real Betis in December. However, Messi wasn’t finished and ended 2012 with 91 goals which looks a record that will remain for some time.
However, before the ceremony began, Messi had told a press conference that he didn’t believe that 2012 was his best year in his career, highlighting the lack of success from Barcelona in 2012 with the Catalans only picking up the Copa Del Rey.
“This has not been my best year,” Messi said. “I am more interested in team awards than individual awards. There were other years when we won more trophies, so they were better.”
In other news, the Coach of the Year was won by Spanish national manager Vicente Del Bosque who beat former Barcelona manager Pep Guardiola and Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho to the award while Fenerbache’s Miroslav Stoch won the Goal of the Year.
The Team of the Year meanwhile was mostly dominated by Barcelona and Real Madrid with five players apiece with Atletico Madrid striker Falcao being the only exception.
Here’s the list of winners during the ceremony
Ballon d’Or team of the year: This amazingly had ten players from either Real Madird or Barcelona with Falcao the only outsider : Casillas, Alves, Pique, Ramos, Marcelo, Xabi Alonso, Xavi, Iniesta, Messi, Falcao, Ronaldo.
Ballon d’Or coach of the year: There was no surprise that Spainish coach Vicente del Bosque won this award after guiding Spain to their third throphy in a row
Ballon d’Or goal of the year This went to Fenerbahce player Miroslav Stoch. We are not saying that it was not a great goal but surly there were better goals than below scored across the world in 2012.
