Lionel Messi crowns stunning year by winning FIFA world player of the year

22 December 2009 09:11
Lionel Messi has been rewarded for a stunning year in which he helped Barcelona to six trophies by being named FIFA's world player of the year.[LNB]The Argentina forward, who headed the clinching goal against Manchester United in the Champions League final, scored on Saturday to win the Club World Cup for Barcelona against Estudiantes.[LNB] It's all mine: Lionel Messi is presented with the FIFA World Player of the Year award[LNB]Messi, 22, won the award, voted for by the coaches and captains of each national side, for the first time, beating last year's winner Cristiano Ronaldo. He was presented with the trophy at a glittering awards gala in Zurich on Monday night.[LNB]Messi said: 'I'm extremely happy. We've just ended a historic year in which we won every competition we played in.'[LNB]Ronaldo, who left United for a world record £80million shortly after being upstaged by Messi in the Champions League final, admitted he's missing life at Old Trafford.[LNB]He said: 'I played there for six years and I left a few friends there.'[LNB]England's John Terry and Steven Gerrard were among the players named in the World XI, voted for by members of the international professional footballers' union. Patrice Evra, Fernando Torres and Nemanja Vidic were also picked, making five players from the Premier League.[LNB] Five star: Iniesta, Kaka, Messi and Xavi look a little sheepish next to Ronaldo (left) in Zurich[LNB]Ronaldo won the FIFA Puskas award for the best goal of the 2008-09 season, hislong-range thunderbolt for United against Porto in April.[LNB]Brazil's Marta is the women's player of the year for the fourth year in a row with England's Kelly Smith among the top five.[LNB]The FIFA Fair Play Award was given posthumously to Sir Bobby Robson for his 'outstanding commitment to the values of fair play throughout his career'. Theaward was collected by his widow Elsie.[LNB]FIFPro World XI: Iker Casillas (Real Madrid), Daniel Alves (Barcelona), John Terry (Chelsea), Nemanja Vidic (Man Utd), Patrice Evra (Man Utd), Xavi (Barcelona), Andres Iniesta (Barcelona), Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Lionel Messi (Barcelona), Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid), Fernando Torres (Liverpool).[LNB] I am NOT King of the World: Modest Messi favourite to win World Player of the Year award but says Barcelona are the bestBarcelona admit defeat in move for Man City forward Robinho... for now at leastEXCLUSIVE: Capello fury as captain John Terry is hit by more controversy[LNB] [LNB]  

Source: Daily_Mail