Barcelona's forward Lionel Messi was awarded the World Player of the Year on Monday, adding one more title to his abundant collection of soccer's great honors. Messi lifted the prestigious award at FIFA's gala ceremony in Zurich, outdistancing the last two winners, Cristiano Ronaldo and Kaka, along with his Barcelona teammates Xavi Hernandez and Andres Iniesta in voting among national team captains and coaches.

It caps a perfect year for the winger, who won an unprecedented treble of titles with Barcelona, the Spanish league and cup, and the Champions League, and received the Ballon D'Or as the best player in Europe. He also sealed Barcelona's first Club World Cup on Saturday with an extra-time goal to beat Estudiantes 2-1.

Lionel Messi of Argentina shows his trophy after receiving the FIFA Men's World Player of the Year 2009 soccer award during a ceremony in Zurich December 21, 2009.

The only trophy void for the 22-year-old Argentine now is a World Cup title.

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.

Messi scored 38 goals in 51 matches in all competitions during 2008-2009 season, and has continued with 15 goals in 22 games this campaign as Barcelona have surged to the top of La Liga and back to the Champions League knockout phase.

Maradona has labeled Messi his "successor" on the field, and Messi has already surpassed the former great in terms of successes at club level.

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