Messi wins new Fifa player award
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Lionel Messi last night became the inaugural winner of the Fifa Ballon d'Or. The Argentine was selected ahead of his Barcelona team-mates Xavi and Andres Iniesta, who both won the World Cup with Spain last summer.
Messi, 23, who scored 60 goals for club and country in 2010, said: "To be honest, I didn't expect to win today, but it was already great to be here next to my two mates. To win it makes it even more special. I want to share with all of my friends, my family, all the Barcelonistas and the Argentinians."
The award was created by merging France Football magazine's Footballer of the Year with Fifa's World Player of the Year.
Jose Mourinho, now with Real Madrid, was named Coach of the Year for leading Internazionale to an unprecedented Champions League, Serie A and Coppa Italia treble.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments