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Barcelona forward Lionel Messi wins the inaugural Fifa Ballon d'Or
Lionel Messi has become the inaugural winner of the FIFA Ballon d'Or at a glittering award ceremony in Zurich.
Award: Barcelona forward Lionel Messi won the inaugural Fifa Ballon d'Or after a magnificent season Photo: GETTY IMAGES
7:08PM GMT 10 Jan 2011
Argentina star Messi was selected ahead of Barcelona team-mates Xavi and Andres Iniesta, who both won the World Cup with Spain last summer.
Messi, 23, scored an astonishing 60 goals for club and country in 2010 and is regarded by many as the most gifted player of his generation.
The FIFA Ballon d'Or was created following the merging of France Football magazine's European Footballer of the Year prize with the FIFA World Player of the Year gong.
As such, it is awarded based on votes cast by journalists from around the world and coaches and captains of national teams.
Messi was the holder of both titles and therefore joins former Brazil strikers Ronaldo and Rivaldo and France legend Zinedine Zidane as a multiple winner of the latter accolade.
Lionel Messi has become the inaugural winner of the FIFA Ballon d'Or at a glittering award ceremony in Zurich.
Award: Barcelona forward Lionel Messi won the inaugural Fifa Ballon d'Or after a magnificent season Photo: GETTY IMAGES7:08PM GMT 10 Jan 2011
Argentina star Messi was selected ahead of Barcelona team-mates Xavi and Andres Iniesta, who both won the World Cup with Spain last summer.
Messi, 23, scored an astonishing 60 goals for club and country in 2010 and is regarded by many as the most gifted player of his generation.
The FIFA Ballon d'Or was created following the merging of France Football magazine's European Footballer of the Year prize with the FIFA World Player of the Year gong.
As such, it is awarded based on votes cast by journalists from around the world and coaches and captains of national teams.
Messi was the holder of both titles and therefore joins former Brazil strikers Ronaldo and Rivaldo and France legend Zinedine Zidane as a multiple winner of the latter accolade.
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