Barcelona's Messi named European Club Player of the Year

Lionel Messi of Barcelona was named the European Club Player of the Year yesterday for helping his side lift the Champions League trophy last season.

Messi succeeds Cristiano Ronaldo as the Club Footballer of the Year and is the second Argentinian international to land the prize after Fernando Redondo in 2000.

"It is an enormous joy to be able to receive such an important award as this," he said. "And it's also a pleasure to be able to thank all the people who voted for me and who decided I should get this award."

Argentine Messi was also named forward of the year with his club mate Xavi Hernandez, who also played a key role for Barca last season, named as midfielder of the year ahead of a third Barcelona player Andres Iniesta.

Chelsea and England skipper John Terry was named defender of the year while Edwin Van der Sar, of last season's Champions League runners-up Manchester United, was named goalkeeper of the year.

The awards are for their performances in the Champions League.

UEFA president Michel Platini presented a special award to Paolo Maldini, who won five European Cups with Milan during a playing career that spanned over 20 years until he retired last season.