2009 FIFA World Player of the Year Awards: Messi and Marta Triumph
The 2009 FIFA World Player of the Year awards celebrated the pinnacle of individual achievement in global football. The prestigious ceremony took place on 21 December 2009 at the Kongresshaus Zürich in Zürich, Switzerland, bringing together the sport's most elite talents to recognize their contributions over the past year.
The selection process began on 30 October 2009, when FIFA announced the initial shortlists consisting of 23 men and 10 women. As the voting progressed, the field was narrowed down to the final five contenders for both the men's and women's categories, which were revealed on 7 December 2009.
[ไม่มีภาพประกอบ]Key Facts
- Lionel Messi won the Men's World Player of the Year with a record-breaking points total.
- Marta secured her fourth crown as the Women's World Player of the Year.
- The ceremony was held in Zürich, Switzerland.
- The men's shortlist initially featured 23 players, while the women's shortlist featured 10.
Men's Award Results
The 2009 men's race was dominated by Lionel Messi of Barcelona, who achieved a historic victory. Messi's performance earned him 1,073 points, a record total that placed him significantly ahead of his closest competitors.
Cristiano Ronaldo followed in second place with 352 points, having played for both Manchester United and Real Madrid during the period. Barcelona's dominance in the sport was further highlighted by the presence of Xavi and Andrés Iniesta in the top five.
Full Men's Ranking
| Rank | Player | Points | Club(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lionel Messi | 1073 | Barcelona |
| 2 | Cristiano Ronaldo | 352 | Manchester United, Real Madrid |
| 3 | Xavi | 196 | Barcelona |
| 4 | Kaká | 190 | Milan, Real Madrid |
| 5 | Andrés Iniesta | 134 | Barcelona |
| 6 | Didier Drogba | 128 | Chelsea |
| 7 | Fernando Torres | 113 | Liverpool |
| 8 | Steven Gerrard | 64 | Liverpool |
| 9 | Samuel Eto'o | 54 | Barcelona, Internazionale |
| 10 | Wayne Rooney | 45 | Manchester United |
Beyond the top ten, other notable players included Frank Lampard, Michael Ballack, and John Terry from Chelsea, as well as Zlatan Ibrahimović, who represented both Internazionale and Barcelona.
Women's Award Results
In the women's category, Marta continued her era of dominance by winning her fourth title. Representing Los Angeles Sol and Santos, she finished with a commanding 833 points.
The competition for the remaining spots was led by Birgit Prinz of Frankfurt and Kelly Smith of the Boston Breakers, both of whom secured second and third place respectively.
Women's Final Standings
- 1. Marta: 833 points (Los Angeles Sol, Santos)
- 2. Birgit Prinz: 290 points (Frankfurt)
- 3. Kelly Smith: 252 points (Boston Breakers)
- 4. Cristiane: 239 points (Chicago Red Stars, Santos)
- 5. Inka Grings: 216 points (Duisburg)
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the 2009 FIFA World Player of the Year award?
Lionel Messi won the award, setting a record for the highest points total with 1,073 points.
Where and when did the 2009 awards ceremony take place?
The ceremony was held on 21 December 2009 at the Kongresshaus Zürich in Zürich, Switzerland.
How many women were initially shortlisted for the award?
A shortlist of 10 women was announced on 30 October 2009.
Which female player won the award in 2009?
Marta won the award, marking her fourth time receiving this honor.
Which club had the most players in the men's top five?
Barcelona had three players in the top five: Lionel Messi, Xavi, and Andrés Iniesta.