3. Lionel Messi (male, soccer)

Yearender: World's top 10 athletes in 2012

The 25-year-old Barcelona star from Argentina won the 2011 FIFA Ballon d'Or, the prestigious award for the world's outstanding footballer, for the third straight time. He also set a new record for the number of goals scored in a calendar year as his total scores increased to 91 goals after last week's Primera Liga.Messi poses with the Golden Boot trophy in Barcelona, Oct 29, 2012. [Photo/Agencies]