Sports figures and media are hailing a great night for Spanish football after Liga star Lionel Messi won a fourth Ballon d'Or and national coach Vicente Del Bosque was crowned coach of the year.
Messi is from Argentina, but his prize was in large part a reward for his prolific goal-scoring for Spanish league-leaders Barcelona.
Del Bosque's honour recognised Spain's Euro 2012 triumph, which followed its 2010 World Cup win and the 2008 Euro crown.
25-year-old Messi ended 2012 with an astonishing 91 goals in all competitions as he broke German legend Gerd Mueller's 40-year-old record for the most goals in a calendar year.
The women's player of the year award went to US football veteran Abby Wambach whose five goals in the London Olympics helped the United States win gold.
On the field of play: Everton enjoyed trouble-free progress to the FA Cup fourth round with a 5-1 victory at fourth tier Cheltenham Town last night.
Everton will face Championship side Bolton Wanderers or Premier League Sunderland in the fourth round in two week's time. .
