Lionel Messi - Argentina

Lionel Messi is viewed my many football fans as the best player right now. He just completed the 2009/2010 La Liga season with 34 league goals. He was an influential force in Barcelona's domination of La Liga this past season.

He was also influential in helping Barcelona win all six competitions they entered during the 2008/2009 season. After lifting the League Trophy, the League Cup, the Champions League Trophy and other awards, Lionel Messi was awarded the 2009 Ballon d'Or (Golden Ball) in December 2009. He beat out Cristiano Ronaldo who won it the previous year.

2009/2010 Highlights
Messi scored all 4 goals as Barcelona dumped Arsenal out of the Champions League by a score of 4 - 1. (Tue Apr 5 2010)

Messi scored a hat-trick to help Barcelona beat Real Zaragoza 4 - 2. His second goal was a beauty to behold as he dribbled past defenders to score a memorable goal. (Sun Mar 21 2010)

Lionel Messi scored a spectacular hat-trick as Barcelona beat Valencia 3 - 0 at Camp Nou. Messi scored in the 56th, 81st and 83rd minutes to increase his La Liga-high goal tally to 22 through 26 matches. (Sun Mar 14 2010)

Lionel Messi scored two goals to help 10-men Barcelona secure a point as they twice came from behind to draw 2-2 at Almeria in La Liga on Saturday. (Sat Mar 6 2010)

Barcelona beat Sevilla 4-0 at the Camp Nou. World player of the year Lionel Messi scored twice as he became the youngest Barcelona player to score 100 goals, at the age of just 22. (Sat Jan 16 2010)

Lionel Messi scored a hat trick to help Barcelona demolish Tenerife 5 - 0. He scored 2 goals in the first half and his third was a delicate lob in the 75th minute. (Sun Jan 10 2010)

Lionel Messi has won the 2009 FIFA World Player of the Year award. Messi, who was runner-up the last two years, received 1,047 points in voting. Ronaldo was second with 352 points, followed by Xavi with 196 points. (Mon Dec 21 2009)