Barcelona and Argentina forward Lionel Messi has been awarded the Ballon d'Or for a fourth year running. Messi, 25, hit 91 goals during 2012 and beat club team-mate Andres Iniesta and Real Madrid's Ronaldo to the trophy. Despite his goals, the Catalan giants failed to win either the Spanish league title or Champions League last year. Abby Wambach won the women's award and Vicente del Bosque the coach accolade, while the team of the year was made up only of players from Spain's La Liga. Messi was announced as the winner of the Ballon d'Or, the award given to the world's best player, during a ceremony held in Zurich yesterday. He was part of a three man shortlist for the prize which is voted for by journalists and national coaches and captains, alongside midfielder Iniesta and forward Ronaldo. He becomes the first player to win four consecutive Ballons d'Or, breaking the record he jointly held with former France international, and current UEFA President, Michel Platini.