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.

Messi Wins FIFA World Player Of The Year Award

The Barcelona star beat off stiff competition to be crowned FIFA's World Player Of The Year

Lionel Messi has capped a sensational 12 months in Barcelona colours by being crowned FIFA World Player Of The Year.

Messi, who described his presence at the FIFA Gala as "the culmination of a year that cannot be improved upon", has managed to indeed go one better, sealing the only title still evading him.

The diminutive Argentine beat off competition from the a host of the world’s best including team-mates Andreas Iniesta and Xavi, as well as Real Madrid stars Kaka and Cristiano Ronaldo, with the Portuguese having already admitted that "he [Messi] will probably win the award".

The crown capped a quite incredible year for the 22-year-old Argentinian forward who, as a pivotal member of Pep Guardiola’s all conquering Barca squad, beat Estudiantes in FIFA’s Club World Cup final in Abu Dhabi on Saturday to lift their sixth title in the last 12 months.

Messi will add FIFA’s prestigious title to pretty much every individual award in European football; having already been crowned UEFA Club Forward of the Year, UEFA Club Footballer of the Year and UEFA Champions League Top Scorer amongst a host of other individual titles.

Messi’s incredible achievements will go down as one of the most successful seasons ever endured by a single player in club football history.

Iniesta Proud To Share Stage With World's Best Players

The Barca midfielder was on hand to answer questions at the FIFA World Player Gala

As one of the five finalists for the FIFA World Player award, Barcelona's Andres Iniesta was soft spoken at the Gala preceding the presentation of the award.

"I feel immense joy. Being on the same stage and knowing I am at the same level as these players [Lionel Messi, Xavi, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Kaka] is a huge reward and I congratulate the rest of the players for being here".

With his respect to his favourite memory from a record breaking season, Iniesta spoke of the Barca's European title against Manchester United.

"We have been privileged to have lived so many beautiful moments, but the Champions League final is the best for me," he reminisced.

Seated next to Xavi, Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Kaka, the three Barcelona players were markedly shorter than their Madrid counterparts and when asked of the height difference, Iniesta was dismissive, saying, "The important thing is to strike the right balance in the team and Barca have the right blend."

The midfield wizard also spoke of Barca's plans for 2010. "We have some time to wind down, but after the holidays we will see we have achieved nothing with respect to the future and we will fight to win all titles".

Although Messi is widely anticipated to win the award, Iniesta wished to dedicate the accolade to "the fans of the team who have always been there to support. Our team-mates also deserve to be recognised".

Finally, when asked of next summer's World Cup in South Africa, Iniesta was asked to assess Spain's chances.

"The World Cup is always important and I hope the Spanish team can play well. After winning all our matches in the qualifying round, we will try to get as far as possible," he concluded.

Lionel Messi At The FIFA Awards

Widely regarded to win the FIFA World Player Award, Lionel Messi was largely modest in FIFA's Gala preceding the presentation of the award.

When asked of his reaction to receiving the award, Messi expressed his happiness. "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".

When asked about his favourite memory of a record year for Barcelona, the Argentine cited the Champions League final victory as his highest achievement. He also went on to praise FIFA for their organization of the Club World Cup and cited the Abu Dhabi fans as "very enthusiastic".

As for what is in store for the rest of 2010, the Ballon d'Or winner highlighted the importance of working to continue to achieve good results saying that Barca would continue to fight for all titles.

Seated next to Xavi, Iniesta, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Kaka, the three Barcelona players were markedly shorter than their Madrid counterparts and when asked of the height difference, Messi downplayed its importance, saying "Barca have some tall players, but also players who can run a match. Football is such that height does not matter as much as talent."

The Argentine had high praise for the rest of the candidates and thanked Crisitano Ronaldo for his warm compliments, saying that the arrivals of CR9 and Kaka to La Liga will reinforce the Spanish league. However, he did not go so far as to say that La Liga stood atop the world as the best league citing England's teams that are always near the top of the Champions League. Of Robinho's possible transfer to Barcelona in January, Messi chose not to comment, but said that if the Brazilian did come to Barca, he would be welcome.

Finally, when asked why he could not manage to replicate his club form for the Argentina national team, Messi was evasive. "I just want to say that I will try to do the same thing for the Albiceleste as for Barca. The qualifying matches were difficult, but World Cup can be very different. I have achieved everything I can for my club, now I would like to do the same for the national team".