Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Andres Iniesta were on Thursday shortlisted for this year's Ballon d'Or, football's world governing body FIFA and sponsors France Football magazine said.

Barcelona

Barcelona didn't need Lionel Messi to secure a successful start to its Copa del Rey defense Tuesday, beating third-tier Alaves 3-0 after goals by David Villa, Andres Iniesta and Cesc Fabregas.

Villa

FC Barcelona strolled to a comfortable 3-0 win against Deportivo Alaves in the first leg of the third round of the Spanish Copa del Rey while Valencia overcame Llagostera without much difficulty.

Goa

Barcelona's Spanish midfielder Andres Iniesta received the UEFA Best Player in Europe award on Thursday after pipping Cristiano Ronaldo and club-mate Lionel Messi in a journalists' poll.

It is his se

Spanish left wing Andres Iniesta was named player of Euro 2012 on Monday by European football governing body UEFA.

The 28-year-old - who was man of the match in Spain's historic 4-0 win over Italy in

Johannesburg, July 11: Andres Iniesta secured the World Cup for Spain for the first time in their history by scoring the only goal of an enthralling final against the Netherlands four minutes from the