Zurich:World Football’s ruling body FIFA crowned Barcelona and Argentinean striker Lionel Messi as the World Player of the Year at a FIFA gala ceremony in Zurich. This almost completes his collection of football’s greatest accolades. Messi easily beat the last two winners – Cristiano Ronaldo and Kaka – along with his Barcelona teammates Xavi Hernandez and Andres Iniesta in voting among national team captains and coaches, with Crstiano Ronaldo having already admitted that “he (Messi) will probably win the award.”

Messi described his presence at the FIFA Gala as “the culmination of a year that cannot be improved upon,” and also added that the award was “the icing on the cake”. He received the trophy from UEFA president and former France international Micheal Platini. Messi received 1,047 points in voting. Ronaldo was second with 352 points, followed by Xavi with 196 points. The award which was introduced in 1991 is voted by the coaches and captains of the national teams.
Apart from being the leading goal-scorer in the Champions League and helping Barcelona win the Champions League final against Manchester United, Messi also notched the extra-time winner in the Club World Cup final against Estudiantes on Saturday.

As far as his form with Argentina is concerned, Messi said he didn’t know why he has been unable to recapture his club form with his country. “Argentina had a hard time in the qualifying round,” he said. ”But the World Cup is something different. I just hope the team and I can play better.” he conceded.
The women’s FIFA World Player of the Year award went to Brazil’s Marta for the fourth year in a row. She beat teammate Cristiane, Kelly Smith of England, and Germans Birgit Prinz and Inka Grings.

[Source:Arabnews,AlJazeera,Ibnlive]