The talented Barca forward beat last year's winner Cristiano Ronaldo into second place in the poll for Europe's footballer of the year, organised by France Football magazine.

Messi, 22, is the sixth Barcelona player to take the award but the first for four years - since Brazilian playmaker Ronaldinho.

He told France Football: "There's lots of emotion - the Ballon d'Or is very important for me.

"I know I appeared among the favourites because Barcelona had a profitable year.

"For me it's a big honor to win - but also to become the first Argentinian in history to receive the trophy.

"I dedicate it to my family, they were always present when I needed them and sometimes felt even stronger emotions than me."

Messi recently signed a two-year contract extension with European champions Barca until 2016 - an improved deal which includes a buy-out clause worth 250million euros (£228million).

The Argentinian won an unprecedented treble last season as the Catalan side won the Champions League, the Spanish title and the Copa del Rey.

Messi was the top scorer in last year's Champions League with nine goals, including a header in the 2-0 final defeat of Manchester United in Rome.

Messi polled 473 votes, more than double the number Real Madrid's Ronaldo totalled (233) and 27 more than the impressive number the Portugal international managed in winning last year's award.

Ronaldo was the only non-Barcelona player in the top four, with Spain midfielders Xavi (170) and Andres Iniesta (149) next in the list.

(Soccer365.com)