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Merciless Messi is World Footballer of the Year

Argentine footballer of the year Lionel Messi was named the  winner in the poll of captains and coaches of national teams to decide the World Footballer of the Year 2009. The Barcelona striker blew other nominees away. His 1,073 votes were 700 more than the second-placed Cristiano Ronaldo of Real Madrid, while another Spanish-based player, Messi's Barcelona teammate, Xavi, finished third with 106 nominations.

It was the first time an Argentine has won the Fifa award since its inauguration in 1991. Germany's Lothar Matthaus was the first recipient and since then it has been dominated by Brazilians with three wins for Ronaldo, two for Ronaldinho and one apiece for Kaka Romario and Rivaldo. The only time an African won was in 1995 when Liberian George Opong Weah won it beating a formidable field featuring Paulo Maldini (Italy)and Jurgen Klinsman(Germany).

In other awards announced on Tuesday also , Cristiano Ronaldo won the inaugural Goal of the Year award for the 40-yard belter he scored for Manchester United against Porto in last season's Champions League, and Marta of Brazil picked up the Women's Player of the Year award.