Nigeria's coach Stephen Keshi

FUTAA.COM

Nigeria's coach Stephen Keshi has revealed he did not vote for Barcelona's Lionel Messi for the 2012 FIFA Balon d'or award.

The Argentine whizkid beats perennial rival Cristiano Ronaldo and clubmate Andreas Iniesta to the title winning for a record fourth time and Keshi said he voted Manchester City midfielder Yaya Toure, reports futaa.com.

Exceptional

"I voted for Yaya Toure and not Messi. He (Messi) is an exceptional player but I just have to acknowledge the good job that Yaya Toure has been doing in recent years especially for Man City. He is an African brother and I have to encourage him."

Toure, a former teammate of Messi at Barcelona, is the 2012 African Player of the Year.