Lionel Messi

Just a few weeks after Argentinian striker Lionel Messi earned the prestigious Ballon d'Or prize as Europe's best soccer player, he's managed to top that with another very prestigious honor: the title of World Player of the Year, given by soccer's governing body FIFA.

The past year gave the 22-year-old Messi plenty of chances to prove his ability as the world's best footballer. He's been a key player at his club side FC Barcelona since joining the first team for the 2004-05 season, and led the team to a slew of major titles in 2009. In the spring, Messi's nine goals were essential to Barca's march to the Champions League trophy, including one in his team's 2-0 victory over Manchester United in the final.

In addition to the Champions League title, Barcelona were champions in La Liga, grabbed the Spanish Cup trophy and came out on top in the Club World Cup over the weekend.

Problems on the national level

Despite his success in Europe, Messi has struggled recently with the Argentinian national side, which barely made it through the World Cup qualifiers. However, Messi said he is eager for a chance to prove himself during the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

"I believe the World Cup could be completely different for us," Messi said before the awards ceremony. "It could be better for me and Argentina."

The 2009 World Player of the Year Award is the first to be awarded to a player from Argentina.

Voting for the FIFA Player of the Year was conducted among national team coaches and captains, and Messi finished far ahead of runners-up Cristiano Ronaldo, the Portuguese forward at Real Madrid who won the title last year, and Messi's own Barcelona teammate Xavi.

The women's award for World Player of the Year went to Brazilian forward Marta, who won the distinction for an unprecedented fourth time in a row. Marta plays professionally in the United States for the Los Angeles Sol.

mz/AFP/Reuters
Editor: Michael Lawton