The `Flea´ received almost half of the votes (47.88%), by 21.60% of Christian, Silver Ball, and 9.23% of Xavi, Bronze Ball
Leo Messi returned to take over the Golden Ball, the third in his career, and consecutively. The Argentine beat Cristiano Ronaldo, second, and Xavi, third, who completed the podium of the best players of 2011. Ronaldo was the one who assisted him by giving the prize.
The coaches, captains and correspondents of France Football again opted for Messi after another huge season in which he won five titles: League, European Cup, Super Cup in Spain, European Super Cup and Club World Cup.
The Argentine scored a 47.88% of the vote, by 21.60% to 9.23% Christian and Xavi. Iniesta (6.01%) was the fourth most votes and Rooney, Luis Suarez, Forlan, Etoo, Casillas (1.29%) and Neymar completed the list of the top ten.
The `Flea´ gets his third Golden Ball, which to date had only managed to Michel Platini, Johan Cruyff and Marco van Basten. Of these three only French took three awards in a row (1983. 1984 and 1985), which has been Messi Barcelona´s shirt in the last three years (2009, 2010 and 2011).
Messi received the Golden Ball Ronaldo hands and ended up leaving a message to his partner Xavi: "You too deserve it and for me it´s a pleasure to be with you in the court."