2012 FIFA Ballon d'Or Gala

Lionel Messi was voted the world's best player for an unprecedented fourth straight year for his 91-goal year for Barcelona and Argentina in 2012. U.S. women's national team star striker Abby Wambach won the FIFA Women's World Player award.

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Getty Images Photo By Christof Koepsel/Getty Images Mon, Jan 7, 2013 2:25 PM EST

ZURICH, SWITZERLAND - JANUARY 07: Lionel Messi of Argentina receives the FIFA Ballon d'Or 2012 trophy on January 7, 2013 in Zurich, Switzerland. (Photo by Christof Koepsel/Getty Images)
ZURICH, SWITZERLAND - JANUARY 07: Lionel Messi of Argentina receives the FIFA Ballon d'Or 2012 trophy on January 7, 2013 in Zurich, Switzerland. (Photo by Christof Koepsel/Getty Images)