Messi wins FIFA Player of the Year – again

Lionel Messi has been named the world’s best player for the fourth year in a row, Reuters reported today.

Messi, still only 25, won the FIFA Player of the Year award after “shattering the world record” with 91 goals for Barcelona and Argentina in 2012, the Associated Press said.

CNN reported that the Barcelona and Argentina forward beat Barcelona teammate Andres Iniesta and Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo to the Ballon d'Or, polling 41.6 percent of the votes lodged by national coaches, captains and journalists.

"To tell you the truth this is really quite unbelievable," Messi said at an awards ceremony in Zurich, ESPN reported.

"The fourth award that I have won is just too great for words. I want to remember my teammates at Barcelona, especially Andres. It is with great pride that I am beside you today and that you play and train with us.

"(I also want to thank) my teammates with Argentina, my colleagues who voted for me, the captains and coaches, my family, my friends, and lastly and most especially my wife and my son. Thanks very much."

United States striker Abby Wambach won the FIFA Women's World Player of the Year award, CNN reported.