Suprise, suprise. It's Messi.

Too bad I didn't understand a word he said - nobody bothered to translate!

messi it is! kudos to him

Messi might be the best footballer but this award should have gone to Xavi or Sneider!!!!!

kudos messi. i think iniesta should be first runner up, xavi second.

Next year.....The three Finalist will most likely be Lionel Messi (Barca), Mario Gomez (Bayern)and Christiano Ronaldo (Real)

@ Maich Black. I watched the game and even re-watched it that was a pure thriller..action packed from start to the end....the only game that can rival that one is AC milan vs Udinese...another weekend Cracker

Happy new year to you all.

I think those who voted awarded talent more than accomplishment. For leading Inter and Holland to the CL and WC finals respectively, I think Sneijder should have been the best player of 2010.

Looking at the 3 finalists,IMHO, Xavi was very influential in 2010. If the award was to be based solely on talent, Messi can win it for 5 years in a row - he's the best footballer in the world undoubtedly, but when it comes to overall accomplishment in 2010, I think the panel fell short

Cant be put any better:

C & P
All hail Lionel Messi, but my vote for Fifa Ballon d’Or award went to 'Mr Consistent' Wesley Sneijder

All hail Lionel Messi, recipient of the Fifa Ballon d’Or on Monday night. The little magician undoubtedly twinkled in 2010, most notably for Barcelona, and the memory remains vivid of his elegant destruction of Arsenal’s defence at the Nou Camp.



Yet, in the poll of journalists and coaches, this observer ticked the box marked Wesley Sneijder to decide the world’s premier player. Why? Sneijder performed with superb consistency in the two major competitions of the year, the Champions League and World Cup.



He was exceptional for Inter Milan in their triumphant Champions League campaign, including defeating Messi and his celebrated company in the semi-finals, and being named Uefa Club Midfielder of the Year after lifting the trophy in Madrid.



Sneijder’s many qualities, creating and scoring (from free kicks to headers), were also showcased in Holland’s run to the World Cup final. Although the Dutch lost to Spain in Johannesburg, Sneijder enjoyed a magnificent tournament, being voted man of the match four times and finishing joint top scorer.



Sneijder would have been a worthy winner of the Ballon d’Or because he delivered on the biggest occasions, even attempting to shine in that gloom-ridden, scarred final in South Africa. For all Messi’s wonderful talent, Argentina faltered at the World Cup.

I think Messi was simply THE BEST.....he was good before and after the World Cup and is still playing well now. Wesley Sneijder had a great World cup (won CL) but if you were to compare INDIVIDUAL performance of the two players throughout the year, Messi stands out. Same reason why Zidane won this award several years in a row. I still think Messi will be in contention this year....with Ronaldo.

Some of the best players in the world over the years never qualified for a world cup or won league titles! The players and Coaches around the world think Messi deserved but the Media thinks otherwise.