Lionel Messi is World Player of the Year
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Barcelona and Argentina superstar Lionel Messi has been crowned the FIFA World Player of the Year for 2009.
The 22-year-old, who was runner-up the last two years, received 1,047 points in voting. Last year's winner Cristiano Ronaldo was second with 352 points, followed by Xavi with 196 points.
Messi helped the Catalan giants make history as they won an unprecedented six trophies in the space of 12 glittering months.
He scored 38 goals in 51 matches in all competitions during 2008/2009 season, and has continued with 15 goals in 22 games this campaign as Barcelona have surged to the top of La Liga and back to the Champions League knockout phase.
"This is the best possible way to end a great year for Barcelona and for me," Messi said.
"Not in my wildest dreams could I have imagined that I would experience the year I have."
Meanwhile, two England players made it into FIFA/FIFPro World XI team, along with three other Premier League players, as voted for by members of the international professional footballers' union FIFPro.
Chelsea skipper John Terry joined Manchester United's Nemanja Vidić and Patrice Evra in defence, while Liverpool pair Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres also made the team.
FIFA/FIFPro World XI: Iker Casillas (Real Madrid); Daniel Alves (Barcelona), John Terry (Chelsea), Nemanja Vidić (Man Utd), Patrice Evra (Man Utd); Xavi (Barcelona), Andrés Iniesta (Barcelona), Steven Gerrard (Liverpool); Lionel Messi (Barcelona), Fernando Torres (Liverpool), Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid)
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The 22-year-old, who was runner-up the last two years, received 1,047 points in voting. Last year's winner Cristiano Ronaldo was second with 352 points, followed by Xavi with 196 points.
 Lionel Messi receives the World Player of the Year award from FIFA president Sepp Blatter Photo: AFP/Getty Images |
Messi helped the Catalan giants make history as they won an unprecedented six trophies in the space of 12 glittering months.
He scored 38 goals in 51 matches in all competitions during 2008/2009 season, and has continued with 15 goals in 22 games this campaign as Barcelona have surged to the top of La Liga and back to the Champions League knockout phase.
"This is the best possible way to end a great year for Barcelona and for me," Messi said.
"Not in my wildest dreams could I have imagined that I would experience the year I have."
Meanwhile, two England players made it into FIFA/FIFPro World XI team, along with three other Premier League players, as voted for by members of the international professional footballers' union FIFPro.
Chelsea skipper John Terry joined Manchester United's Nemanja Vidić and Patrice Evra in defence, while Liverpool pair Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres also made the team.
FIFA/FIFPro World XI: Iker Casillas (Real Madrid); Daniel Alves (Barcelona), John Terry (Chelsea), Nemanja Vidić (Man Utd), Patrice Evra (Man Utd); Xavi (Barcelona), Andrés Iniesta (Barcelona), Steven Gerrard (Liverpool); Lionel Messi (Barcelona), Fernando Torres (Liverpool), Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid)
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