Already judged as one of football’s all-time greats at just 24, Lionel Messi has extended his reign as the world’s best player for a third year.

Lionel Messi’s claim to a place in football’s pantheon of greats should be advanced when the Fifa Ballon d’Or trophy is awarded.

Argentinian Lionel Messi won the Ballon d’Or for the second successive year, beating his more favoured Barcelona team-mates Iniesta and Xavi