A Fine Messi: Argentine/Barcelona Star Wins Euro Top Player Award

December 1, 2009 7:21 a.m. EST

Lionel Messi has been crowned the European Footballer of the Year for 2009, clinching the coveted Balloon d'Or trophy.

Messi, who edged Cristiano Ronaldo for the award, has been in scintilating form for both Barcelona, who won three trophies in 2009 and Argentine, who Messi helped to book their place in the 2010 World Cup finals.

Messi is the first Argentinian to ever win the award, as Alfredo Di Stefano was registered as a Spanish national when he clinched the prize in 1957. 

Barcelona won an historic treble in 2009 clinching La Liga, the Spanish Cup and the European Champions League.

it was no surprise then to see four of their leading lights filling four of the top five places, with Messi's teammates Xavi and Andres Iniesta coming 3rd and 4th respectively.

Former Barcelona frontman, who joined Inter Milan in the summer, Samuel Eto'o, came 5th.