Messi wins FIFA World Player of the year

2009 continues to be a memorable year for Barcelona and Argentina star Lionel Messi. After recently winning Europe's top football accolade, he was then named FIFA World Player of the Year on Monday. FIFA's end of year gala awards ceremony in Zurich attracted football's finest talent from around the globe.

Lionel Messi of Argentina shows his trophy after  receiving the FIFA Men's World Player of the Year  2009 soccer award during a ceremony in Zurich  December 21, 2009. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo)

Lionel Messi was very much expected to scoop the top prize. Competition came from fellow nominees and Barcelona team-mates Andres Iniesta and Xavi, and Real Madrid pair Kaka and Cristiano Ronaldo.

Last year's World Player of the Year, Ronaldo was an early winner this year. He claimed the inaugural FIFA Puskas Award - the prize for the year's best goal.

Ronaldo was also named in the FIFA FIFPro World Team of the Year - as was England captain John Terry, who made the all-star list for the fifth time.