Messi crowns player of the year / FIFPro World XI Announced

Poignant SG

The football world gathered in Zurich, Switzerland tonight for the annual FIFA gala to announce not only the FIFA World Player Of The Year, but also the FIFA/FIFPro World XI.

With over 50,000 professional footballers from around the world voting for their best starting XI of the last 12 months; there was huge competition for a place in the prestigious team of the year.

The final XI was announced this evening and was totally dominated by the Premier League and La Liga, with all eleven places going to stars from Europe’s top two divisions.

Last year’s goalkeeper Iker Casillas retained his place between the posts as did Chelsea’s John Terry in defense. Barcelona’s Xavi and Leo Messi also made the squad for the second year running with Cristiano Ronaldo and Liverpool’s Steven Gerrard.

Amongst the debutants in the team were Barcelona’s Dani Alves and Manchester United’s Patrice Evra and Nemanja Vidic.

FIFA/FIFPro World XI team in full:

Iker Casillas (Real Madrid); Dani Alves (Barcelona), John Terry (Chelsea), Nemanja Vidic (Manchester United), Patrice Evra (Manchester United); Xavi (Barcelona), Andres Iniesta (Barcelona), Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Lionel Messi (Barcelona), Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid), Fernando Torres (Liverpool)

zocoss SG

It's all mine: Lionel Messi is presented with the FIFA World Player of the Year award

Lionel Messi has been rewarded for a stunning year in which he helped Barcelona to six trophies by being named FIFA’s world player of the year.

The Argentina forward, who headed the clinching goal against Manchester United in the Champions League final, scored on Saturday to win the Club World Cup for Barcelona against Estudiantes.

England’s John Terry and Steven Gerrard were among the players named in the World XI, voted for by members of the international professional footballers’ union. Patrice Evra, Fernando Torres and Nemanja Vidic were also picked, making five players from the Premier League.

Five star: Iniesta, Kaka, Messi and Xavi look a little sheepish next to Ronaldo (left) in Zurich

FIFPro World XI:

Iker Casillas (Real Madrid)

Daniel Alves (Barcelona), John Terry (Chelsea), Nemanja Vidic (Man Utd), Patrice Evra (Man Utd)

Xavi (Barcelona), Andres Iniesta (Barcelona), Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Lionel Messi (Barcelona)

Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid), Fernando Torres (Liverpool)