( CNN ) -- Lionel Messi has been crowned world footballer of the year for a third successive time after claiming FIFA 's Ballon d'Or award at a ceremony in Zurich . The Argentina forward beat Barcelona teammate Xavi and Real Madrid 's Cristiano Ronaldo to the prestigious title . Messi , 24 , becomes only the fourth player in history to claim three awards , matching the feat of current UEFA president Michel Platini and Dutch duo Johan Cruyff and Marco van Basten . `` It 's a great personal pleasure for me , '' Messi said , after receiving his award . Who are football 's top January transfer targets ? `` It 's the third time I 've won it . It 's just an amazing honor . I want to thank everyone that 's been involved with me -- my team-mates , trainers , physios , the coach ( Pep Guardiola ) and everyone at Barcelona . `` I 'd also like to thank the Argentina national team as well . '' Messi enjoyed another glittering year with Barcelona , winning the Spanish league title , the European Champions League , the UEFA Super Cup and the FIFA Club World Cup . Rooney defiant as Man City appeal Kompany red card . Xavi , who also missed out on the Ballon d'Or behind Messi last year , said his teammate could be one of the best footballers the game has ever seen . He told the ceremony : `` He 's still young , only 24 , and I think he 's going to break all the records that exist in this sport . He 's going to be one of the best footballers in the history of the sport . '' Messi 's club manager Pep Guardiola was crowned manager of the year for masterminding victories in four separate competitions , including the FIFA Club World Club which confirmed Barcelona as the best team on the planet . He 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 . `` It 's a privilege and an honor for me to be a part of this excellent , amazing club . '' Brazilian striker Neymar , who plays in his home country for Santos , was named winner of the FIFA Puskas Award , named after legendary Hungary striker Ferenc Puskas , for the goal of the year . Japan 's Homare Sawa was crowned FIFA Women 's World Player of the Year after she captained her country to the Women 's World Cup title in Germany , while her manager Norio Sasaki was named coach of the year for women 's football . FIFA also selected their team of the year : Iker Casillas ( Real Madrid ) , Dani Alves ( Barcelona ) , Gerard PiquÃ© ( Barcelona ) , Sergio Ramos ( Real Madrid ) , Nemanja Vidic ( Manchester Utd ) , AndrÃ©s Iniesta ( Barcelona ) , Xabi Alonso ( Real Madrid ) , Xavi ( Barcelona ) , Lionel Messi ( Barcelona ) , Cristiano Ronaldo ( Real Madrid ) , Wayne Rooney ( Manchester Utd ) .
Lionel Messi crowned world footballer of the year after winning Ballon d'Or award . Barcelona and Argentina striker claims the award for the third successive year . Messi won four titles with Barcelona in 2011 including the Champions League . Messi 's club manager at Barcelona , Pep Guardiola , is named coach of the year .