THREE TIMES FOR LIONEL

Lionel Messi, already judged one of football's all-time greats at 24, unsurprisingly extended his reign as the world's best player for a third year on Monday.

The Barcelona and Argentina forward received the Fifa Ballon d'Or for 2011, beating his club team-mate Xavi Hernández and Cristiano Ronaldo of Real Madrid to the game's top individual honour.

"It's a huge pleasure for me," Messi said, after accepting the trophy from another three-times winner, the former Brazil forward Ronaldo. "It's the third time I get this award and it's a huge honour."

Messi's prolific scoring and unselfish creative play inspired Barcelona to win five trophies last season including the Champions League, Spanish League and Club World Cup.

Messi is the first player to win three straight Fifa world player trophies in the award's 21-year history. Zinedine Zidane of France also won three Fifa player awards.

Messi received 47.88% of the points in votes cast by national team coaches and captains plus invited journalists. They chose from a shortlist of 23 players. Cristiano Ronaldo finished second with 21.6% and Xavi got 9.23% to finish third for the third year in succession.