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The week in pictures

Next 2. Sneijder closes in on Galatasaray switch

1. Messi secures record fourth Ballon d'Or

After a record-breaking 91-goal 2012, Lionel Messi capped the year off in style, winning his fourth Ballon d'Or trophy, more than any other player in history.

The Argentine hailed third-placed Andres Iniesta for the playmaker's role in his successes this year, while the Spain international believes Messi will go on to win the award again.

As the details of exactly who voted for who were revealed, several interesting results were thrown up, with Iker Casillas picking compatriot Sergio Ramos over Real Madrid colleague and front-runner Cristiano Ronaldo, while Messi did not select Ronaldo in his top three, although Bruno Alves, casting Portugal's player vote, did not include Messi in his.

Several other awards were dished out at the glitzy event, the Fifpro best XI of the year contained players solely sourced from La Liga, with Radamel Falcao the only player not from Real Madrid or Barcelona.

Further recognition for the Spanish came with Vicente del Bosque being awarded the Manager of the Year award ahead of Pep Guardiola and Jose Mourinho.

Meanwhile, Miroslav Stoch was handed the Puskas award for the year's best goal, a volleyed effort from a corner, while American striker Abby Wambach won the gong for World Women's Player of the Year.

Sunday, 13 January 2013 19:00

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The week in pictures

Next 2. Sneijder closes in on Galatasaray switch

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