Barcelona and Argentina forward Lionel Messi was named the Best Player of Europe in 2009 by the Uruguayan sports daily "El Pais" on Wednesday. According to a poll organized by the daily, Messi earned 64 votes, seven more than Portuguese striker Cristiano Ronaldo, who plays with Real Madrid. The third place went to Spaniard Xavi Hernandez, also a Barcelona player.

In 2008, Ronaldo beat Messi to win the accolade.

UEFA President Michel Platini (L) and FIFA President Sepp Blatter (R) applaud Lionel Messi of Argentina as he holds his trophy of the FIFA Men's World Player of the Year 2009 soccer award during a ceremony in Zurich December 21, 2009. Lionel Messi became the first Argentine to win the FIFA World Player of the Year award on Monday

The 22-year-old Messi was the first Argentine to win the FIFA World Player of the Year award.

【体坛英语资讯：Messi voted Best Player of Europe by Uruguayan sports daily】相关文章：

★ 体坛资讯：Yi agent seeks trade but NBA Bucks want Chinese star

★ 体坛英语资讯：Liu leads Chinese Osaka charge

★ 体坛资讯：Bombs mar celebrations of Iraq soccer win

★ 体坛英语资讯：Beijing Olympic flame lit in ancient Olympia

★ 体坛英语资讯：Another big shots out, coach says worlds lose meaning

★ 娱乐英语资讯：Victoria Beckham to model for Marc Jacobs

★ 体坛资讯：Fatherhood will make Woods even better says Parnevik

★ 体坛英语资讯：Pairs skaters challenged by system

★ 体坛英语资讯：Alonso crashes out of Japanese GP

★ 娱乐英语资讯：Hayden Panettiere stars in Got Milk campaign