From correspondents in Americas, 01:31 PM IST

Argentine forward Lionel Messi deserves the 2009 Player of the Year award, Brazilian soccer legend Pele said.

'This year, without any doubt, Messi deserves the Golden Ball,' Pele told media Wednesday just minutes after Messi scored the goal that gave Spanish soccer giant Barcelona the European Champions League trophy.

'I have delivered the prize to Ronaldinho Gaucho, then to Kaka, then last year to Cristiano Ronaldo, and Messi was in second place every time,' he recalled, 'so I think it is definitely his this time,' he said.

Pele, considered by many to be the best soccer player of all time, is visiting Uruguay as ambassador for the Copa Libertadores.

(Staff Writer, © IANS)