WORLD SOCCER PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Lionel MESSI
Messi…masterful
Th he cleancu ut kid d
I
t’s no contest as Leo Messi sweeps the board with his first-ever World Soccer Player of the Year gong. Barcelona’s Argentinian star is heading for a clean sweep – and with no argument. The judgment of World Soccer’ Soccer’s worldwide readers and contributors has never, ever been in question. A dispassionate cross-section of opinion of the world game has spoken. The prestigious European Footballer of the Year trophy went the way of Barcelona’s Argentina forward despite his comparatively modest contribution in the 2010 World Cup qualifying competition. FIFA’s Player of the Year prize will also fall into his lap after Barcelona’s all-conquering year of Champions League, UEFA Super Cup, La Liga, Copa del Rey and Spanish Super Cup – with no bets against him adding the Club World Cup. Cristiano Ronaldo was indisputably the No.1 choice a year ago, with Italy captain Fabio Cannavaro pragmatically inevitable after his country’s World Cup victory in 2006.
70
PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Touch…Messi controls the ball
2009
