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Lionel Messi
Updated: 2010-03-09 20:14
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Lionel Messi (Argentina) Football, 22
Brilliant young Argentinian footballer Lionel Messi had his most successful season in 2008/09, scoring 38 goals and playing a crucial part in a glittering year for Barcelona in which they won three competitions - the UEFA Champions League, the Spanish League and the Spanish Cup. In the Champions League final in Rome, he scored the second goal to secure a 2-0 win over Manchester United, and in the Copa del Rey final he scored one goal and assisted for another two in the 4-1 victory over Athletic Bilbao. As Barcelona's successful Spanish League season was drawing to a close, Messi scored twice - his 35th and 36th goals – in a memorable 6-2 victory over arch rivals Real Madrid. In December he was named FIFA World Player of the Year.
