2012 FIFA Ballon d'Or: Lionel Messi Makes History
The 2012 FIFA Ballon d'Or, also known as the 'Golden Ball,' marked the third year of the integrated awards ceremony honoring the world's most elite football players and coaches. Held on 7 January 2013 in Zürich, Switzerland, the event celebrated a year of extraordinary athletic achievement and tactical brilliance.
The gala was hosted by former Ballon d'Or winner Ruud Gullit and broadcast journalist Kay Murray, bringing together the global football community to recognize the pinnacle of the sport.
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Key Facts
- Winner: Lionel Messi won a record fourth consecutive Ballon d'Or.
- Date and Location: 7 January 2013 in Zürich, Switzerland.
- Women's Winner: Abby Wambach was named FIFA Women's World Player of the Year.
- Coaching Honors: Vicente del Bosque (Men) and Pia Sundhage (Women) won World Coach of the Year.
- Historic Milestone: For the first time, every player in the FIFA/FIFPro World XI played in the same league (La Liga).
The Race for the Men's Ballon d'Or
The selection process began with a shortlist of 23 male players, compiled by FIFA's Football Committee and experts from France Football. Voting was conducted by three representatives from each FIFA member federation: a journalist, a national team coach, and the national team captain. Points were awarded based on rank: 5 for first place, 3 for second, and 1 for third.
On 29 November 2012, the field was narrowed to three finalists: Lionel Messi, Andrés Iniesta, and Cristiano Ronaldo. Lionel Messi emerged as the victor with 41.60% of the vote, continuing a dominant streak that included every FIFA Ballon d'Or since the award's inception in 2010, as well as the 2009 predecessor awards.
Men's Top Three Finalists
| Rank | Player | National Team | Club | Vote Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | Lionel Messi | Argentina | Barcelona | 41.60% |
| 2nd | Cristiano Ronaldo | Portugal | Real Madrid | 23.68% |
| 3rd | Andrés Iniesta | Spain | Barcelona | 10.91% |
Women's Football and Coaching Excellence
The FIFA Women's World Player of the Year was determined by a ten-player shortlist and a voting system mirrored after the men's award. Abby Wambach of the United States secured the top spot with 20.67% of the vote, followed by Brazil's Marta and USA's Alex Morgan.
In the coaching categories, Vicente del Bosque of Spain won the Men's World Coach of the Year with 34.51% of the vote. For the women's game, Pia Sundhage of Sweden was honored as the World Coach of the Year for her work with the United States national team.
Special Awards and World XI
The 2012 ceremony featured several prestigious specialty awards. The FIFA Puskás Award, which recognizes the most beautiful goal of the year via public online vote, was won by Miroslav Stoch of Slovakia for a stunning volley scored for Fenerbahçe against Gençlerbirliği.
Other notable honors included the FIFA Presidential Award given to Franz Beckenbauer and the FIFA Fair Play Award presented to the Uzbekistan Football Federation.
The FIFA/FIFPro World XI
The 2012 World XI was a historic lineup, as all eleven selected players competed in Spain's La Liga. The squad consisted of:
- Goalkeeper: Iker Casillas (Real Madrid)
- Defenders: Dani Alves (Barcelona), Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid), Gerard Piqué (Barcelona), Marcelo (Real Madrid)
- Midfielders: Xavi (Barcelona), Xabi Alonso (Real Madrid), Andrés Iniesta (Barcelona)
- Forwards: Lionel Messi (Barcelona), Radamel Falcao (Atlético Madrid), Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid)
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the 2012 FIFA Ballon d'Or?
Lionel Messi won the award, marking his fourth consecutive win.
How was the winner of the Ballon d'Or decided?
The winner was chosen by voters from each FIFA member federation, including a journalist, a national team coach, and a national team captain, who assigned points to their top three choices.
What was unique about the 2012 FIFA/FIFPro World XI?
It was the first time in history that all eleven players selected for the World XI played in the same professional league, which was La Liga in Spain.
Who won the Puskás Award in 2012?
Miroslav Stoch of Slovakia won the award for his volley into the top corner of the net during a Turkish Süper Lig match for Fenerbahçe.
Who was the FIFA Women's World Player of the Year in 2012?
Abby Wambach from the United States won the award with 20.67% of the vote.