Andres Iniesta has beaten Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo to the UEFA award for Best Player in Europe for 2011-12.
The Spaniard helped Barcelona reach the Champions League semi-finals and Spain to the European Championship title in the summer
He was voted ahead of Messi and Ronaldo in a final shortlist of three by 53 of Europe’s most prominent football journalists. Messi won the award in its first year last season.
Iniesta’s win, which saw him receive 19 votes to the 17 that both Messi and Ronaldo received, was announced in Monaco after today's Champions League draw.
