Barcelona and Argentina forward Lionel Messi was named the Best Player of Europe in 2009 by the Uruguayan sports daily "El Pais" on Wednesday.

According to a poll organized by the daily, Messi earned 64 votes, seven more than Portuguese striker Cristiano Ronaldo, who plays with Real Madrid. The third place went to Spaniard Xavi Hernandez, also a Barcelona player.

In 2008, Ronaldo beat Messi to win the accolade.

The 22-year-old Messi was the first Argentine to win the FIFA World Player of the Year award.