December 21 – Barcelona’s Argentinian Lionel Messi (pictured) was tonight named as FIFA’s World Player of the Year for 2009 at a glittering ceremony in Zurich.
The 22-year-old helped Barca to an unprecedented six trophies in the last 12 months, with Pep Guardiola’s side having won the FIFA Club World Cup, La Liga, the Copa del Rey, the Champions League, the European Super Cup and the Spanish Super Cup.
Messi beat off competition from team-mates Andres Iniesta and Xavi as well as Real Madrid’s Kaka and Cristiano Ronaldo to secure a prestigious individual honour.
He said on receiving his award: “I’m extremely happy.
“We’ve just ended a historic year, a perfect year in which we’ve won every competition we’ve played in.
“We just needed to take this last step and everything has worked out how we wanted.
“It’s amazing.”
Brazilian striker Marta (pictured) won the female equivalent of FIFA’s World Player Of The Year Award for the fourth consecutive time.
Marta, widely regarded as the best female to ever play the game, beat off competition from England’s Kelly Smith amongst others.
Speaking of winning the award again, a tearful Marta described the accolade as “a landmark in my career and in my life”.
When asked how it felt to hear her name called once again, the 23-year-old replied, “It’s incredible.
“You can never prepare what you’re going to say and I just came out with the first words that came into my head.”
The Brazilian international went on to comment on how happy she was to be playing her club football back in her native Brazil with Santos.
“I got a great reception after having played abroad for so long.
“The first Libertadores was so important for the development of women’s football in my country.
“It attracted some great crowds too.”