The 2009 FIFA player of the Year and European Footballer of the Year Lionel Messi is fast, elusive, mesmerising. Nominated by Maradona as successor to his No. 10 Argentina shirt, he is already set for football divinity. At only 22 years Messi is widely regarded as the planet's most naturally gifted player - a hero in Barcelona, Argentina's great hope for the 2010 World Cup and the envy of all other teams. He won the 2009 Ballon d'Or with 240 more votes than second-place Cristiano Ronaldo - the highest-ever margin. He is better than Cristiano Ronaldo.