After captivating fans throughout 2011, football’s top players and coaches received well-deserved accolades at the FIFA Ballon d’Or Gala on Monday, where FIFA.com was on hand.
Delighted just to be at the FIFA Ballon d’Or Gala 2011, Neymar’s night was made complete when he collected the FIFA Puskas Award for scoring the best goal of last year.
After she was crowned FIFA Women’s World Player of the Year, Homare Sawa spoke to FIFA.com about her achievements in 2011 and excitement at attending the Gala in Zurich.
Michel Platini has described Lionel Messi as "the great player of this generation" after the Barcelona and Argentina forward matched his achievement of winning three consecutive FIFA Ballon d'Or awards.
FIFA.com caught up with Norio Sasaki after the Japan manager was named FIFA Women's Football Coach of the Year at the FIFA Ballon d'Or 2011 Gala in Zurich.
Barcelona ace Lionel Messi was all smiles as he took receipt of the FIFA Ballon d’Or again on Monday, and FIFA.com spoke to the Argentinian about winning the prize for an impressive third year in a row.
FIFA Women's World Player of the Year
