Zurich:
Brazilian women's football star Marta won the FIFA world player of the year award for the fourth consecutive year on Monday.
Marta, who plays professionally for Los Angeles Sol, thus becomes the record winner of the honour awarded by football's world ruling body.
American Mia Hamm won the inaugural women's award in 2001, winning again in 2002.
Germany's Birgit Prinz then picked up the award three years in a row from 2003-2005.