Cool Messi makes his mark quietly but effectively

MADRID: The transfer of the title of European Player of the Year effectively took place in the Champions League final last May when Lionel Messi eclipsed the 2008 winner Cristiano Ronaldo.

The Argentina forward scored Barcelona's second goal, with a rare header, putting the seal on a convincing 2-0 victory over Manchester United, and confirmed his place as the tournament's top scorer with nine goals.

His coach, Pep Guardiola, having completed an unprecedented treble of La Liga, King's Cup and Champions League titles, said after the final in Rome: "I think he is the best player and we didn't need to win today to know he is the best."