Barcelona striker Lionel Messi has been selected as FIFA's World Footballer of the Year. The best female player is Brazil's Marta Vieira da Silva.

The Argentinean beat out teammates Andres Iniesta and Xavi as well as Real Madrid's Kaka. The 22-year-old played a major part in Barcelona's excellent season; the Spanish club has won six prizes including the Champions League, the European Super Cup and last Sunday, Messi scored the winner that gave Barcelona victory in the Club Team's World Championships.

Earlier this month, Messi won the Golden Ball, the prize for the best European footballer. It is the fourth time in a row that FIFA has selected Marta as Best Female Footballer in the world.