Messi surprised at winning world award

Argentina forward Lionel Messi said he "wasn't expecting to triumph" after fending off FC Barcelona team-mates Xavi Hernández and Andrés Iniesta to win the FIFA Ballon d'Or in Zurich.

Argentina forward Lionel Messi beat off competition from FC Barcelona team-mates Xavi Hernández and Andrés Iniesta to win the inaugural FIFA Ballon d'Or award at a gala ceremony held in Zurich.

The 23-year-old – winner of the FIFA World Player of the Year and the Ballon d'Or awards last year, which have now been merged – admitted he "wasn't expecting to triumph" this time around after he collected the trophy from his Barcelona coach Josep Guardiola.

"This is a very special day for me," Messi told the congregation at the Zurich Kongresshaus. "I would obviously like to share this with all of my team-mates because if it weren't for them, I wouldn't be up here accepting this award. There was so much talk beforehand of Andrés Iniesta or Xavi Hernández winning so I'm as surprised as anyone.

"It's fantastic to win another one of these trophies and I hope now that things continue going well at Barcelona and that I can achieve with Argentina. On a personal level, I'm conscious that Barcelona are doing really well and that we're picking up individual awards because of that. This time it's my turn to win one."

Argentina were knocked out in the quarter-finals of last summer's FIFA World Cup, but Messi excelled on the domestic front, finishing as the Spanish Liga's top scorer with 34 goals in 35 appearances to help Barça win their 20th league title. He was also top scorer in the 2009/10 UEFA Champions League with his team eventually falling at the semi-final stage.

Current Real Madrid CF coach José Mourinho was also honoured at the ceremony, receiving the FIFA World Coach of the Year award for his achievements with FC Internazionale Milano last season. The Portuguese led Inter to a historic treble of UEFA Champions League, Serie A and Coppa Italia triumphs.

The FIFA Women's World Player of the Year was won by Brazil's Marta for the fifth time in successsion while the FIFA Puskás Award for 2010's best goal was taken by Turkey's Hamit Altıntop for his strike against Kazakhstan in a UEFA EURO 2012 qualifying victory in September.

Messi was one of six Barcelona players named in the FIFA/FIFPro World XI. The full lineup is:
Iker Casillas (Real Madrid CF); Carles Puyol (FC Barcelona), Lucio (FC Internazionale Milano), Gerard Piqué (FC Barcelona), Maicon (FC Internazionale Milano); Andrés Iniesta (FC Barcelona), Xavi Hernández (FC Barcelona), Wesley Sneijder (FC Internazionale Milano), Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid CF); Lionel Messi (FC Barcelona), David Villa (FC Barcelona).

Messi wins Ballon d´Or

Barcelona's Lionel Messi has won the inaugural FIFA Ballon d'Or, while Real Madrid's Jose Mourinho was named FIFA World Coach of the Year.

Messi received world football's most prestigious award ahead of team-mates Andres Iniesta and Xavi at an award ceremony in Zurich on Monday, capping an astonishing year for both club and country for the Argentina international.

The 23-year-old scored 60 goals in 2010 for Barca and Argentina, leading the Catalan giants to the La Liga title but falling short at the World Cup in South Africa as Argentina departed in the quarter-finals.

The Ballon d'Or is now officially world football's top award, after France Football magazine's European Footballer of the Year prize was merged with the FIFA World Player of the Year award.

Mourinho was named coach of the year ahead of Spain's Vicente Del Bosque and Barca boss Pep Guardiola for his efforts in guiding former club Inter Milan to the Serie A, Coppa Italia and Champions League treble.

The Portuguese boss, nicknamed the 'Special One', moved on to Real Madrid following the conclusion of the 2009/10 season.

Turkey international Hamit Altintop received the Puskas Award for the best goal of the year, following his scintillating volley against Kazakhstan in a Euro 2012 qualifier in September.

Brazilian striker Marta won the Women's Player of the Year for a fifth consecutive time, while Germany's Silvia Neid received the Women's Coach of the Year award.

Del Bosque Nominates For FIFA Player Of The Year Award

Messi is favourite to add to his Ballon d'Or

Spain coach Vicente del Bosque has revealed the three players he nominated for the FIFA World Player of the Year award for 2009.

Del Bosque opted for Barcelona forward Lionel Messi, Real Madrid & Portugal winger Cristiano Ronaldo and Chelsea's Ivorian striker Didier Drogba in that order. The winner of this year's award is set to be announced on December 21.

"I voted for [Lionel] Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, [Didier] Drogba, in that order. I don't mind saying so," Del Bosque told AS.

All national team coaches and captains vote for candidates on FIFA's 23-man shortlist but cannot vote for players from their own teams.

Messi already collected the 2009 Ballon d'Or earlier this month and is the favourite to claim the FIFA prize. The Argentinian has finished runner up for the previous two years with Ronaldo claiming the award last year.

Ibrahimovic: I Would Have Given The Ballon d’Or

‘Ibracadabra’ is revelling in his time at the Camp Nou, but confessed that he is still playing with stress

Zlatan Ibrahimovic congratulated his Barcelona attacking partner, Lionel Messi for picking up the Ballon d’Or but he also remarked that every Barca star deserved the accolade.

“I would have given the award to all the players of Barcelona because it is very difficult to win the treble,” he was quoted as saying by Sport.

Ibra then went on to admit that he is still feeling the pressure following his €66 million move to the Camp Nou from Inter in the summer and he has been playing with apprehension.

“I still feel a bit stressed out, but I can grow some more and play much better than what I’m showing now.

“I have had injuries that have prevented me from being 100%, but when I can go a full month without being sidelined, everything will be better and I will feel more confident.

“When you play with the players at Barca, they are capable of creating so many scoring opportunities that you have to be really focused to finish off those chances.

“Thanks to them, everything is fine because they help me a lot every day,” he concluded.

Ibrahimovic remains the Blaugrana’s leading goalscorer with ten goals, one more than Messi but one less than Pichichi leader, David Villa.

Gallery Messi with his Ballon d'Or 2009 (06.12.2009)

Messi picks up the Ballon d'Or

Messi picks up the Ballon d'Or

Marc Guillén (special envoy) / Anna Segura

Leo Messi collected his 2009 Ballon d'Or this Sunday morning in a ceremony organised by France Football in Paris which confirmed him as this year's European Player of The Year.

The photo that everybody had been waiting for finally happened this morning when Leo Messi lifted the 2009 Ballon d'Or trophy. At a few minutes past 11.00 in the studios of the TF1 “Telefoot” programme, Barca's Argentine star finally received the award given by the France Football magazine.

Family support

In one of the most important days in his footballing career. Messi was not alone at the ceremony, as his brothers Rodrigo, Matías and sister Marisol,as well as Barca President Joan Laporta, and Vice President Albert Perrín accompanied him..



Thuram gives his congratulations

Messi was also congratulated in person by ex-teammate Lilian Thuram who came to the TF1 studios to pass on his good wishes to the new European Player of The Year. Thuram, who was at the club between 2006 and 2008, also exchanged words with Joan Laporta.



Now for the second!

Before the ceremony, Leo Messi had the opportunity to look through the latest edition of the France Football magazine which features a long interview with him in which he announces his intention: “to win the award a second time”, whilst explaining: “it's the way Barca play that has allowed me to win this award”.

Lionel Messi Collects Golden Ball Award; Thanks Teammates

The superstar is hopeful of having another incredible season, at both club and international level

2009 Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi collected his award in France this morning, and the gracious star was appreciative of the efforts of his team-mates that allowed him to be recognised for the honour.

The Argentine amassed 473 points to receive more than double the support of second placed Cristiano Ronaldo, and also well clear of his club colleague Xavi, who finished third.

During the ceremony, which was broadcast on French television, the 22-year old took the opportunity to ensure the Barcelona squad were thanked for their efforts.

He said, “I dedicate the Golden Ball to my colleagues, and I share this trophy with them. I want to thank my family, my friends, and my brothers who are always there for me.”

Messi also set his sights on winning the award again in 2010, and in doing so help Barcelona to even greater success than their Triplete-winning season of 2008/09.

He continued, “Hopefully I can win again, it would be great to win some more. But that depends on how good we are with Barcelona and how Argentina perform at the World Cup.”

‘The Flea’ also offered his opinion on Thierry Henry’s controversial handball that allowed France to progress to the World Cup in South Africa at Ireland’s expense.

“I do not know what I would have done instead,” he commented, before adding, “I think [Thierry] did the right thing, he apologized and we cannot put all of the blame on him.”

Milan Congratulate Lionel Messi After Ballon D'Or Win

The Rossoneri have sent warm wishes to Messi after he won the Ballon d'Or

Milan have sent their congratulations to Barcelona ace Lionel Messi after he scooped the 2009 Ballon d'Or award.

Messi won 473 votes out of 480 to win the coveted award from France Football. Milan have enjoyed their fare share of success in the award over the years and they have sent a warm message to Messi via their official website.

A statement from Milan reads:

"Immediate warm and heart felt congratulations from Milan to Lionel Messi. Milan have had such success of major trophies that we cannot help but appreciate those who win major titles and individual honours. It's a common thing among big clubs to congratulate each other.

"In 2008 Manchester United players made some nice comments about Milan after they won the Champions League in Moscow.

"In 2009 Barcelona made some nice statements about Paolo Maldini after they won the Champions League in Rome. Therefore our appreciation in relation to big winners is a natural one."

Lionel Messi 'Honoured' By Ballon d'Or Award

The Argentinian was surprised by the winning margin

Barcelona star Lionel Messi has declared himself "honoured" to have been selected as the Ballon d'Or winner for 2009 after it was revealed that the Argentinian has been crowned the best footballer in Europe.

"It is my great honour to be selected for the Ballon d'Or, but also to be the first Argentine in history to receive this award," he told France Football's website.

He expressed surprise at the margin of victory after securing 473 points, 240 ahead of second placed Cristiano Ronaldo and also declared that collecting this individual award was very important to him.

"Honestly, I knew I was among the favourites, because Barca enjoyed a successful 2009 where we won everything. But I did not expect to win by a margin as large [240 points]. You know, the Ballon d'Or, is something very important to me. All those who won were great players. And some greats have never won it," he noted before setting his sights on replicating this success.

"It will not be easy to repeat a year like we just experienced. I hope the next year will be in the same vein. But winning the Ballon d'Or two years in a row, it's not easy ... "

How Lionel Messi Became 2009's Best Player

The Argentinian star's path to Golden Ball glory

Barcelona forward Lionel Messi was announced today as the winner of the prestigious 2009 Ballon d'Or accolade with a record 473 points total, over double the tally of second placed Cristiano Ronaldo.

Since January the outstanding forward has demonstrated beyond doubt why he is considered the best player in European football. It doesn't matter whether it's Manchester United in the Champions League final or Numancia in La Liga in January, the Argentinian football mastermind is consistently on hand to deliver goals or assists and it is little wonder that Barcelona have won everything in sight with Messi leading the line and his selection for this award has been wholly justified.

The Argentine forward began the year in typically brilliant style with a hat-trick away to Atletico Madrid in the first leg of their fifth round of their Copa del Rey tie at the Vicente Calderon. It was to prove the beginning of a magnificent seven game winning streak for Barca, with the inspirational Messi contributing an amazing total of nine goals and four assists in an unrivalled display of individual endeavour.

Five days after the disposal of Atletico, the magicial Messi came to the Blaugrana's rescue in Pamplona with a late goal against Osasuna as the Catalan giants secured a vital 3-2 win in the Primera Liga and he followed that up with the opener against Deportivo La Coruna as a 5-0 rout at Camp Nou signalled the intent of the would-be champions.

Messi ended January with a brace against Numancia and at the beginning of February underpinned his status as Barca talisman at El Sardinero. With Racing Santander leading 1-0 the Argentine star came off the bench on the hour mark, equalised five minutes later and bagged an 80th minute winner as Barca maintained the winning rhythm. The goal run came to an end in the following game but Messi was still on hand to provide two assists as they overcame Sporting Gijon with a 3-1 win.

Having displayed his undeniable individual supremacy on the domestic scene Messi produced another masterclass for Barca in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League quarter-final victory over Bayern Munich and ensured that they marched into the semi's with relative ease.

A rampant Barcelona put the Bavarian giants to the sword in 43 minutes of sheer footballing masterclass which cemented Pep Guardiola's team's place as the best side in Europe. Lionel Messi illuminated the contest with two superbly taken individual efforts and also assisted Samuel Eto'o to ensure that the tie was beyond all doubt long before the second leg in Germany.

May was to prove the crucial month for the Argentinian as the season-long display of graft, guile, craft and cunning from the Catalan's resulted in an historic season in Spanish football.

Firsty Messi and Barca went to the Bernabeu to face Real Madrid in the crucial Clasico. The young forward was nothing short of genius on the night, making Thierry Henry's equaliser before adding two himself in the infamous 6-2 rout of Los Merengues which virtually ensured that title number one in their three trophy triumph was complete.

Even when the Blaugrana looked dead and buried at Stamford Bridge in the dying minutes of their semi final against Chelsea it was the impudent Argentinian who laid the ball off to Andres Iniesta before he broke Blues hearts with that stunning leveller.

The Copa del Rey final against Athletic Bilbao cemented Barca's place in history. The mercurial Messi, inevitably, was on the scoresheet and also provided yet another assist in the 4-1 rout.

And the Champions League final in Rome was surely Messi's finest moment, tormenting the Manchester United rearguard before eventually leaping high to power Xavi's 70th cross past Edwin Van der Sar to cap a fine performance as the Blaugrana completed an unprecedented, glorious treble.

Messi contested 51 games for Barca last season, scoring 38 goals and assisting in 18 more, proving himself as the true team player as well as a superb individual.

So far this term, the 22-year-old has continued where he left off with 11 goals and five assists to his name already in just 18 appearances, including two goals in the Super Copa win over Athletic Bilbao and the assist for Pedro against Shakhtar Donetsk in the UEFA Super Cup in Monaco. At this rate who'd bet against him repeating this Ballon d'Or success in 12 months time?

Lionel Messi Wins Ballon d'Or 2009

The Barcelona star is European Footballer of the Year

Lionel Messi of Barcelona and Argentina has won the Ballon d'Or 2009 award, making him the first player from his country to be crowned European Footballer of the Year.

The 22-year-old has now occupied all of the top three places, having debuted in third in 2007 before rising to second last year.

Furthermore, Messi has won by the greatest margin ever recorded in the history of this venerable competition. Out of a possible 480 points, Lionel scored 473 - a new record, and far ahead of the man in second place, namely last year's winner Cristiano Ronaldo. The Portuguese managed 233 points.

In winning the prize, awarded by France Football following voting by a panel of journalists from across the world, Messi becomes the youngest Ballon d'Or winner since Michael Owen's win as a 21-year-old in 2001.

In a year that Barcelona won an historic treble of the Liga, the Champions League, and the Copa del Rey, it seemed inconceivable that a player without the Blaugrana shirt would receive the award.

Barca midfielders Andres Iniesta and Xavi were also shortlised, but Messi was considered favourite by virtually every observer.

As such it was no surprise when he was confirmed as the winner late on Monday evening.

Teammate Xavi, meanwhile, is said to have ended up in third place.

See our Lionel Messi profile for more on the Ballon d'Or win

From an initial shortlist of thirty, ten players were announced last week as the finalists, with Messi's name looming large among those of the likes of Dider Drogba and Wayne Rooney.

However, it was the former Newell's Old Boys youth who prevailed in the end.

Timing

Although the final result was not to be announced until 02:00 CET on Tuesday December 1st, reports of Messi's victory emerged in the French online press over an hour before the appointed time.

Furthermore, minutes after 01:00 CET, a message from the France Football profile on social networking website Facebook appeared announcing Messi as the winner, only to disappear seconds later.

Messi, who will be presented with his award on Sunday evening at a gala event in Paris, becomes the first registered Argentine to win the Ballon d'Or since its creation. Buenos Aires-born Juventus legend Omar Sivori triumphed in 1961, but at the time he was a registered Italian.