Lionel Messi wins Goal 50

The Barcelona forward says he is "very excited" after topping goal.com's annual list of the world's most outstanding players for the the third time

Lionel Messi has won the Goal 50 award for the world’s best footballer after another record-breaking season.
See full list after cut...
The Argentinian forward claims the title for the third time in recognition of an incredible campaign during which he beat Gerd Muller’s 40-year-old record of 85 goals scored in a calendar year.

The 26-year old scored 91 goals in 2012 and increased his total as Barcelona’s all-time top scorer to 313 goals in all competitions by the end of the season.

	GOAL 50 Messi's hat-trick of honours
2008	CRISTIANO RONALDO
2009	LIONEL MESSI
2010	WESLEY SNEIJDER
2011	LIONEL MESSI
2012	CRISTIANO RONALDO
2013	LIONEL MESSI

Messi struck in his 19th consecutive La Liga game in March 2013, becoming the first footballer in history to score in consecutive matches against every team in a major professional league.

After receiving the trophy from Goal's Barcelona correspondent Pilar Suarez at the club's training ground, Messi said: "I'm very excited about this. As players, we work the entire year to win honours for the team, we don't look for the individual awards, but when they come it's an incentive and gives us strength to continue on the same path."

The Goal 50 is regarded as one of the most credible and respected awards in sport because it is chosen by the world’s biggest football website.

Voting takes place at the end of domestic and international seasons for the majority of countries.

More than 500 Goal journalists from around the world vote to select their top 50 players, giving a truly global view.

Messi heads this year's list in front of second-placed Franck Ribery, who helped European champions Bayern Munich win an historic treble. Last year’s winner Cristiano Ronaldo is third.

Commenting on the results, Graham Shaw, Editorial Director, said: “Messi had a spectacular season and it is incredible to think he has achieved so much by the age of 26. His award this year takes him past Cristiano Ronaldo to a record three Goal 50 titles and recognises the individual brilliance of a player who is rightly recognised by some as the greatest of all time.”

FULL LIST
 1. Lionel Messi
2. Franck Ribery
3. Cristiano Ronaldo
4. Thomas Muller
5. Arjen Robben
6. Gareth Bale
7. Philipp Lahm
8. Thiago Silva
9. Arturo Vidal
10. Robin van Persie
11. Bastian Schweinsteiger
12. Paulinho
13. Fred
14. Neymar
15. Robert Lewandowski
16. Edinson Cavani
17. Radamel Falcao
18. Dante
19. Andres Iniesta
20. Burak Yilmaz
21. Ignacio Scocco
22. Mario Mandzukic
23. Javi Martinez
24. Sunday Mba
25. Zlatan Ibrahimovic
26. Mario Gotze
27. Manuel Neuer
28. Thibaut Courtois
29. Mohamed Aboutrika
30. Igor Akinfeev
31. Luis Suarez
32. Juan Mata
33. Jackson Martinez
34. Paolo Guerrero
35. Ilkay Gundogan
36. Isco
37. Raphael Varane
38. Willian
39. Omar Abdul Rahman
40. James Rodriguez
41. Roman Weidenfeller
42. Andrea Pirlo
43. Henrikh Mkhitaryan
44. Victor Wanyama
45. Itumeleng Khune
46. Fernandinho
47. Hisato Sato
48. Robbie Keane
49. Lee Keun-Ho
50. Frank Lampard