| 2011 FIFA Ballon d'Or | |
|---|---|
 2011 FIFA Ballon d'Or Winner, Lionel Messi | |
| Date | 9 January 2012 |
| Location | Zürich, Switzerland |
| Country | Switzerland |
| Presented by | FIFA |
| Highlights | |
| Won by |  Lionel Messi (3rd Ballon d'Or) |
| Website | www |
The 2011 FIFA Ballon d'Or Gala was the second year for FIFA's awards for the top football players and coaches of the year. The awards were given out in Zürich on 9 January 2012, with Lionel Messi claiming the title of world player of the year for the third time in a row.[1][2]
The gala ceremony was hosted by former Ballon d'Or winner Ruud Gullit and broadcast journalist Kay Murray of Real Madrid TV and Fox Soccer Channel, with singer-songwriter James Blunt and his band providing musical entertainment.[citation needed]
- ^ "Messi crowned world's best". ESPN. 9 January 2012. Archived from the original on 12 January 2012. Retrieved 9 January 2012.
- ^ "Messi, Sawa, Guardiola and Sasaki triumph at FIFA Ballon d'Or 2011". FIFA.com. 9 January 2012. Archived from the original on 12 January 2012. Retrieved 9 January 2012.