Lionel Messi won 4 fourth FIFA Ballon d'Or
The 25-year-old Argentinian took the honour ahead of Barcelona team-mate Andres Iniesta and Real Madrid striker Cristiano Ronaldo.
Messi enjoyed a remarkable 2012 even by his own high standards, most notably surpassing Gerd Muller's 40-year-old record of 85 goals in a calendar year, finishing with an incredible 91.
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Taking the honours: Lionel Messi with his Ballon d'Or
'I would like to recognise my other colleagues from Barcelona; Andres it has been great to train and play alongside you.Messi said: 'To tell you the truth this is really quite unbelievable. The fourth award that I have had is just too great for words.
'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.
We've been here before! Messi receives the FIFA Ballon d'Or award for the fourth year in a row
The moment of truth: Italy's Fabio Cannavaro shows the envelope with Messi's name as winner
Talking a good game: Messi grabs hold of his award during his acceptance speech
Messi said: 'To tell you the truth this is really quite unbelievable. The fourth award that I have had is just too great for words.
'I would like to recognise my other colleagues from Barcelona; Andres 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.'
VIDEO Messi accepts award, Blatter condemns racism in speech
The final three: The Ballon d'Or finalists Cristiano Ronaldo, Andres Iniesta and winner Lionel Messi
What a team: The Team of the Year was made up entirely of La Liga players
The top English player in the list was Manchester United's Wayne Rooney who came 15th with 0.39 per cent of the votes.
Speaking at the pre-gala press conference, Messi claimed he did not consider 2012 his best year yet.
He said: 'I'm more interested in team awards than I am about what I might win individually. There have been years where we won more titles that have been better.'
Up for it: Proceedings were hosted by Ruud Gullit (L) and Kay Murray
Messi's team-mates and rivals paid tribute to him.
Barca midfielder Cesc Fabregas wrote on Twitter: 'Congratulations Leo, forth time as the best player of £ballondor, you deserve it. And also to @andresiniesta8, huge to be there.'
Argentina team-mate Sergio Aguero simply Tweeted: 'Messi, Messi, Messi, Messi.'
Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand Tweeted: "Congrats to Messi! Wow,4 yrs in a row!! Messi has added something else to his list of 'the only person to....' #isMessiTheBestOfAllTime ??'
Franz Beckenbauer received the FIFA Presidential Award.
Golden strike: Fenerbahce's Miroslav Stoch won the FIFA Puskas award for goal of the year from former Colombian footballer Carlos Valderrama
Out on her own: Abby Wambach of the USA scooped the female award
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