Maisha Times: Ballon d'Or 2011: Lionel Messi Wins Third Consecutive Golden Ball

It was a big night for Barcelona as its forward Lionel Messi was awarded the 2011 FIFA Golden Ball (Ballon d'Or 2011) at a star-studded ceremony in Zurich. The 24-year-old Barcelona and Argentina forward successfully beat his teammate Xavi Hernandez Kreus and the Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo and proved why he is considered one of soccer's great players. This is the third consecutive times the Argentina footballer won the prestigious award for the world's best football player in his sport career. Lionel Messi was awarded the Golden Ball by Brazilian legend Ronaldo thanks to his absolutely breathtaking season with 53 goals and 24 assists for Barcelona, 4 goals for Argentina, a Spanish Super Cup, a La Liga and a UEFA Champions League title.

The Golden Ball winner Lionel Messi is pictured with FIFA Women's World Player of the Year Homare Sawa. 24-year-old phenomenon joins Ronaldo and Zinedine Zidane as three-time winners of the FIFA player of the year award

In the Golden Ball acceptance speech, the Barcelona's diminuitive forward stated, “I want to thank everyone that's been involved with me -- my team-mates, trainers, physios, the coach (Pep Guardiola) and everyone at Barcelona”

Golden Ball winner Lionel Messi of Barcelona is pictured with Wayne Rooney of Manchester United during the FIFA Ballon d'Or Gala 2011 which is held on 9 January 2012 in Zurich, Switzerland

Xavi talks about Lionel Messi of Barcelona as, “He’s still young. I think he’s probably going to break all the records that exist in the sport”. In other words, Michel Platini states about the 2011 Ballon d'Or winner, “Messi will always be great with or without (winning) a World Cup — but the World Cup, it’s something special”