Zurich: Already judged one of football’s all-time greats at just 24, Lionel Messi 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 award for 2011, beating his club teammate Xavi Hernandez and Cristiano Ronaldo of Real Madrid to the game’s most prestigious individual honour.

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

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

Messi received 47.88 percent of the points in votes cast by national team coaches and captains plus invited journalists. They chose from an original shortlist of 23 players.

Cristiano Ronaldo finished second with 21.6 percent and Xavi got 9.23 percent to finish third for the third straight year.

“This one is very special because I want to share this with my friend and teammate Xavi. He deserves it,” Messi said.

Barca’s Pep Guardiola was chosen ahead of Madrid’s Jose Mourinho and Alex Ferguson of Manchester United. Mourinho and Ronaldo did not attend, as Madrid plays a Spanish Cup match Tuesday in Malaga.