Barcelona’s Messi named world’s best footballer

ZURICH: 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.
 
Lionel Messi is officially the Best Footballer for the year 2009 according to FIFA. The managers of the national teams voted for Messi and the two times second placed candidate finally got this great distinction.

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Barcelona win FIFA Club World Cup title

ABU DHABI: Spanish club Barcelona won the 2009 FIFA Club World Cup title defeating the Argentine club Estudiantes de la Plata.


It was expected because they are the reigning UEFA Champions League monarchs, La Liga champions, and Copa del Rey winners. It was expected because they have the reigning Golden Ball winner Lionel Messi wearing the No. 10 jersey and scoring winning goals with regularity.

It was expected because this is their time. They are at the top of their game, playing at a level currently unequaled by any other club in the world, including their arch rival, Real Madrid featuring Cristiano Ronaldo and Kaka.

It was not easy, nor was it pretty. But at the end, powered by a goal in overtime by their golden boy Messi—who chested a Daniel Alves' cross into the goal in the 110th minute—Barca won its first ever intercontinental club title in front of 43,050 fans at the Zayed Sports City stadium in Abu Dhabi, UAE.

Messi was relentless throughout the 120 minutes of play, displaying great energy and determination, plus a few flashes of brilliance with dazzling dribbling and speed. But it was his will power that made the difference on this day. Messi scored one of those seldom seen off-the-chest goals. It was sweet justice as the winning goal featured a soccer ball that literally bounced off the heart of a true champion.

Estudiantes de la Plata had gone ahead in the 37th minute with a Mauro Boselli header as he craftily sneaked in between two Barcelona defenders.

Pedro then tied the match in the 88th minute on a triple header play. First, Juan Sebastian Veron defensively deflected the ball with his head further into Estudiantes' penalty kick area where Barcelona defender Gerard Pique headed the ball towards teammate Pedro, who then headed the ball over the Estudiantes goalkeeper’s outstretched arms for the equalizer.

Estudiantes from Argentina never really had a chance. They looked exhausted as the second half began and from there on out, they simply defended their lead and launched a few sporadic counterattacks.

FC Barcelona lost both of their previous intercontinental finals. In 2006, Internacional of Porto Alegre lifted the trophy, and Sao Paulo was the better side in the 1992 Toyota Cup.

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