Lionel Messi 2010 remains one of the most memorable years in the career of the Inter Miami striker as he became the first winner of the inaugural of the FIFA Ballon d’Or at an award ceremony in Zurich. The Argentine captain won the award ahead of his then teammates at Barcelona – Xavi Hernandez and Andres Iniesta who both won the world cup the previous summer.
Even though Messi had a brilliant individual season in the 2009/2010 season, some argued that former Dutch international, Wesley Sneijder who played for Inter Milan then should won the award. Their argument was based on the fact that Sneijder was instrumental to Jose Mourinho’s treble-wining season as the Portuguese won the Champions League, Serie A and the Coppa Italia.
The Fifa Ballon d’Or award was founded by combining France Football magazine’s European Footballer of the Year award and the FIFA World Player of the Year honour. It is decided through votes cast by journalists from all across the world, as well as national team coaches and captains.
Messi won both titles, joining legendary Brazil attackers Ronaldo and Rivaldo, as well as France star Zinedine Zidane, as multiple winners of the latter.
Only Alfredo Di Stefano, Johan Cruyff, Franz Beckenbauer, Kevin Keegan, Michel Platini, Marco van Basten, Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, and Ronaldo have won the Ballon d’Or twice. Messi became the first player since 1994 to win the award in a world cup year without winning the trophy. Bulgarian forward Hristo Stoichkov won the 1994 edition of the award.
They further argued that Wesley Sneijder was the most influential players in the Dutch team at the South Africa 2010 FIFA World Cup where the team lost to Spain in the final 1-0. Sneijder scored five goals in the tournament as Netherlands suffered a narrow loss to Spain who lost their opening game to Switzerland.
The 2010 award divided opinions as to whether awards should be based on individual performances and records in the year under review or laurels won. Wesley Sneijder did not make it to the top three nominees that year but was listed in the team of the year alongside Iker Casillas (Real Madrid and Spain); Maicon (Inter and Brazil), Gerard Piqué (Barcelona and Spain), Lucio (Inter and Brazil), Carles Puyol (Barcelona and Spain); Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid and Portugal), and David Villa (Barcelona and Spain).
Lionel Messi 2010: How many goals did Messi score in 2010?
Messi, then 23, scored an impressive 60 goals for club and country in 2010 and the feat was regarded by many as remarkable and was described as the most gifted player of his generation.
Messi on receiving the award said: “To be honest, I didn’t expect to win today, but it was already great to be here next to my two mates,” said Messi.
“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.”
Messi did not only score goals but provided assists as well. He provided 17 assists for club and country in a period Barcelona began their brief dominance in Europe. Messi went on to win the La Liga and the Supercoppa Espana in 2010. He also won the La Liga Player of the Year award for the second consecutive season.
