After a wonderful 2009 on the football field, Lionel Messi has completed his year in style by winning the Fifa World Player of the Year award in Zurich.
Messi beat Cristiano Ronaldo and Kaka to the award, along with team mates Iniesta and Xavi. Capturing the perfect year for him after winning La Liga, Copa Del Rey, Champions League and most recently being the pivotal force of Pep Guardiola’s all conquering Barcelona squad that defeated Estudiantes in FIFA’s Club World Cup final in Abu Dhabi on Saturday. Messi will add FIFA’s prestigious title to his Ballon D’or award and his UEFA Club Footballer of the Year crown.
The gap between first and second (Ronaldo) was the highest it’s ever been since the creation of the award back in 1991. Messi scored a record 1073 points, to Ronaldo’s 352. Naturally, Leo was in the FIFA World XI for 2009 which was also revealed at the ceremony.
Speaking before the announcement, Messi said “It is a great joy to be here for the 3rd consecutive year. It is the culmination of a year that cannot be improved upon.” Once the trophy was presented Messi remaked the following: “No, please, I am not king of the world now, nor the number one, I don’t believe in those things. I am the same person as always and I have the good fortune to play in a great team. It was an historic year for Barca and for me but it’s thanks to the work of everyone.”
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