FIFA names Argentina's Messi Player of the Year

MOSCOW. December 22. KAZINFORM FIFA has named Argentina's Lionel Messi, who plays for Spain's Barcelona, the Player of the Year at the annual FIFA award gala in Switzerland's Zurich; Kazinform refers to RIA Novosti.

The 22-year-old striker finished last year as the second best football player after FIFA handed the Player of the Year award to Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo.

"I'm just very happy. It's lovely to get this recognition from colleagues and coaches. That makes it even more important. The fact that I'm the first Argentinean to win it is also a great honor," Messi said in an exclusive interview with FIFA.com official website.

For the fourth consecutive year, Brazil's Marta won FIFA's Player of the Year award in women's football; Kazinform cites RIA Novosti.

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