Messi claims Ballon d´Or

Barcelona’s Lionel Messi has won the inaugural FIFA Ballon d’Or, while Real Madrid’s Jose Mourinho was named FIFA World Coach of the Year.

Messi received world football’s most prestigious award ahead of team-mates Andres Iniesta and Xavi at an award ceremony in Zurich on Monday, capping an astonishing year for both club and country for the Argentina international.

The 23-year-old scored 60 goals in 2010 for Barca and Argentina, leading the Catalan giants to the La Liga title but falling short at the World Cup in South Africa as Argentina departed in the quarter-finals.

The Ballon d’Or is now officially world football’s top award, after France Football magazine’s European Footballer of the Year prize was merged with the FIFA World Player of the Year award.

Mourinho was named coach of the year ahead of Spain’s Vicente Del Bosque and Barca boss Pep Guardiola for his efforts in guiding former club Inter Milan to the Serie A, Coppa Italia and Champions League treble.

The Portuguese boss, nicknamed the ‘Special One’, moved on to Real Madrid following the conclusion of the 2009/10 season.

Turkey international Hamit Altintop received the Puskas Award for the best goal of the year, following his scintillating volley against Kazakhstan in a Euro 2012 qualifier in September.

Brazilian striker Marta won the Women’s Player of the Year for a fifth consecutive time, while Germany’s Silvia Neid received the Women’s Coach of the Year award.