Messi receives Ballon d'Or award

Barcelona and Argentina striker Lionel Messi was awarded the 2009 Ballon d'Or at an awards ceremony in Paris on Sunday. The 22-year-old finished ahead of last year's winner Cristiano Ronaldo by a record 240-point margin, while his Barcelona team-mate Xavi Hernandez came third.

FC Barcelona's Lionel Messi, from Argentina, displays his 'Ballon  d'Or' , or Golden Ball award, during a photocall, in Paris Sunday,  Dec. 6, 2009. Messi received the Ballon d'Or, the prize awarded to  the Europe-based footballer of the year on Sunday following an  exceptional season with Barcelona.(AP Photo/Francois Mori)

Messi becomes the first Argentinian to win the prestigious Ballon d'Or, also called the European Footballer of the Year award. The accolade caps a brilliant year for the modest left-footer, who helped treble-winning Barcelona lift the Champions League title with nine goals. He also netted 23 in the league and six in the Copa del Rey. The France Football magazine award's 96 jurors gave Messi 473 points out of a possible 480, a near unanimous verdict.

Lionel Messi of Brcelona and Argentina striker, says, "I want to dedicate this trophy to my teammates, and share it with them. I'm very happy to be the first Argentine to get this honor, and the first Barca player to get it. I want to thank my family and my friends. My brothers are here today, and I want to share my trophy with them because they're always with me, they're always by my side, and that's why I want to share my happiness with them."