Barcelona Playmaker Lionel Messi Wins European Footballer of the Year

22-year-old Argentinian, and Barcelona playmaker forward Lionel Messi has been named as the European Footballer of the Year, getting almost double more votes than his closes rival, Christiano Ronaldo.

Messi was first place with 473 points, whereas last years winner, then Manchester Utd player, Christiano Ronaldo only managed to succumb 233 points. In total, 4 Barcelona players made up the top 10, with 3rd place Xavi (170), 4th place Andres Inieseta (149), and 7th Zlatan Ibrahimovic (50). Ex Barcelona player Samuel Eto’o who now plays for Inter Milan came in 5th place with 75 points.

Messi is the sixth player in Barcelona’s history to take the award, and was part of the team that won the treble last season as they triumphed against Manchester Utd in the Champions League, and also went on to win La Liga and the Copa del Rey.

“Honestly, I knew that I was among the favourites because Barcelona had a fruitful year in 2009,” he told French Football magazine.

“But I didn’t expect to win with such a margin. The Golden Ball is very important to me.

“All the players who won it were great players, and some great players never won it.”

Source: Sky Sports