Messi wins 2009 Ballon d'Or

In a break with the regular theme of this blog, here is some breaking news...Lionel Messi has won the 2009 Ballon d'Or award. The most prestigious award in all of football and soocer...combined!!! He garnered an unprecedented 473 of 480 total points from the 96 jurors (a collection of worldwide soccer journalists, 52 European based/44 based elsewhere). In second was deservedly Cristiano Ronaldo who likely missed out due to Man Utds lack of silverware when compared with Barca.

France Football has complete coverage, in French.

Some English detail from the France Football website.

FCBarcelona.cat has complete coverage in English.

Lionel's reaction courtesy of Goal.com

Surprisingly he is the first ever Argentinian winner and will be officially honored at what will surely be some extravagant gala event on Sunday evening. This is likely due to the fact that until 1995, only European players at European clubs were eligible for the award. The Liberian George Weah, was the first non-European to win it that same year. In 2007 the rules were again altered and now players from any club team in the world are eligible; prior to '07 it was only players from European clubs.

In honor of the diminuitive Argentine and now official best footballer on the planet....an epic highlight video approaching 10 minutes in length...enjoy...