Barcelona's Lionel Messi said he was honored Tuesday after being awarded the Ballon d'Or accolade as Europe-based footballer of the year. Argentina's Messi, whom Cristiano Ronaldo beat into second place last season, easily saw off the Portuguese striker, who moved to Real Madrid from Manchester United, by 473 points to 233. Messi got the vote for a tremendous year in which his mercurial talents stood out for Barcelona as the Catalan club marched to an unprecedented treble of Champions League – he scored against United in the final – Spanish league title and Spanish Cup. And after winning by the largest margin in the history of the award, Messi said he was greatly honored and suprised. He told France Football: “It's sure that I expected this as I appeared among the favorites because Barcelona achieved great things this year. “But I didn't expect to win with such a margin. It was a great surprise and a great joy. “There's lots of emotion, the Ballon d'Or is very important for me. “All the players who won it were great players, and some great players never won it. “Now I have to continue and show I deserve this and I hope that 2010 will be as successful.” Barca teammates were also hailed with midfielder Xavi taking third place with 170 points while Iniesta was fourth on 149. In fifth place was Cameroon striker Samuel Eto'o, who left Barca to join Inter Milan in the summer after winning his second Champions League. He was the club's other scorer in the 2-0 final win over United as Barcelona won its third crown. Messi, who Argentina coach Diego Maradona picked out as his heir four years ago, was in the youth team in Newells Old Boys in his homeland before Barcelona discovered him. The club swiftly brought him to Europe – paying for treatment for the youngster's growth hormone deficiency. “Without growth hormones Lionel would have grown, at best, to 1m50 by the time he reached adulthood,” his father Jorge once told L'Equipe Magazine. Messi becomes the sixth Barcelona player to take the award but the first since Brazil playmaker Ronaldinho in 2005. He is also the first Argentine to win the award – opened to non-European nationals 15 years ago with Liberia's George Weah the first non-European winner. Brazilian Kaka, who won two years ago, came in sixth this year with just 58 points. __
