FC Barcelona's Messi wins World Player of the Year

Lionel Messi has won the FIFA World Player of the Year award for leading Barcelona to an unprecedented treble of Spanish and European titles.

Updated on: Dec 22, 2009, 02:02:53 IST

AP | By HT Correspondent, Zurich

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Lionel Messi has won the FIFA World Player of the Year award for leading Barcelona to an unprecedented treble of Spanish and European titles.

The 22-year-old Argentine beat 2008 winner Cristiano Ronaldo, 2007 winner Kaka, and his Barcelona teammates Xavi Hernandez and Andres Iniesta in voting among national team captains and coaches.

The award caps a perfect year for the winger.

Messi won a Spanish league and cup double and the European championship last season. He added another title with an extra-time goal Saturday to beat Estudiantes and give Barca its first Club World Cup.

Messi accepted the award at a FIFA gala in Zurich, and said it was the "icing on the cake".

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