Messi wins 2011 FIFA Player of the Year award (VIDEO)

Well, Messi did it again.

Lionel Messi, 24, is "the first to win FIFA player of the year three times in a row," according to the Associated Press.

Sid Lowe from the Guardian blogged about the meaning of Messi's third crown:

"It is no longer about whether or not Messi is currently the best player in the world; it is about whether he might even be the best there has ever been."

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Messi, who plays for FC Barcelona and Argentina, beat Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo and teammate Xavi Hernandez to claim the FIFA Ballon d'Or award, better known as the best player of the year award.

Messi accepted the trophy from another three-time winner, former Brazil forward Ronaldo.

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According to CNN, Messi said, "I want to dedicate this award to the thousands of people who, through more than a hundred years, have worked for FC Barcelona and helped develop one of the best clubs in the world."

FC Barcelona's manager Pep (Josep) Guardiola was also crowned best manager of 2011.

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Here's a video of Messi's award announcement: