Barcelona and Argentina striker Lionel Messi was crowned FIFA World Player of the Year last night.

Messi, whose goals this year helped Barcelona win the Champions League final and World Club Cup final, thus succeeds Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo as the world's top player, as voted by national team captains and coaches.

Brazil's Marta and Argentina's Lionel Messi with their FIFA World Player of the Year awards during the World Player Gala in Zurich yesterday How do you like the new new mid-day.com experience? Share your feedback and help us improve. Read Next Story First day, poor show for Manchester City's new coach Mancini› Trending Stories Latest Photos Latest Videos Latest Web Stories ADVERTISEMENT Mid-Day Fast ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT