Argentina and Barcelona footballer Lionel Messi was named FIFA's world player of the year for the first time in his career.
The 22-year-old was presented with the trophy in Zurich by UEFA president Michel Platini on Monday night.
"This finishes a magnificent year for Barcelona, my team mates and for me," Messi said.
"I'm extremely happy. We've just ended a historic year, a perfect year in which we've won every competition we've played in. We just needed to take this last step and everything has worked out how we wanted. It's amazing."
The presitgious award is voted for by the coaches and captains of each national side and Messi beat last year's winner Cristiano Ronaldo, Xavi, Andreas Iniesta and Kaka.
Messi won six trophies with Barcelona during 2009, he was the top scorer in the Champions League with nine goals, and he helped Argentina qualify for next summer's World Cup in South Africa.
Ronaldo won the FIFA Puskas award for the best goal of the season, his long range effort for Manchester United against Porto in the Champions League quarter-finals.
The Portuguese was also named in the FIFA/FIFPro World XI, as were England captain John Terry, Nemanja Vidic, Patrice Evra, Steven Gerrard and Fernado Torres.
Brazil's Marta won the FIFA women's player of the year for the fourth year in a row.
Messi is Greatest player on the planet .. he deserved every bit of it ... Christiano is just a glamor whacko .. glad he didn't win this
