Who will be FIFA World Player Of The Year 2009?

Settled as Lionel Messi

http://www.timeslive.co.za/sport/soccer/article239697.ece

Background:

Background: Who will be honoured with the title of FIFA World Player and FIFA Women's World Player for 2009?

FIFA has today announced the names of the players on the short lists (see below) and the final decision will be made by the captains and head coaches of the men's and women's national teams.

At the beginning of December, FIFA will announce the names of the five men and five women who have received the most votes and the winners will be revealed at the 19th FIFA World Player Gala at the Zurich Kongresshaus on 21 December 2009.

The lists of 23 male and ten female candidates for these prestigious awards have been drawn up by football experts from the Football Committee and the Committee for Women's Football and the FIFA Women's World Cup.

The following 23 men (in alphabetical order) are in contention for the title of FIFA World Player 2009;

Michael Ballack (Germany), Gianluigi Buffon (Italy), Iker Casillas (Spain), Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal), Diego (Brazil), Didier Drogba (Côte d'Ivoire), Michael Essien (Ghana), Samuel Eto'o (Cameroon), Steven Gerrard (England), Thierry Henry (France), Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Sweden), Andrés Iniesta (Spain), Kaká (Brazil), Frank Lampard (England), Luis Fabiano (Brazil), Lionel Messi (Argentina), Carles Puyol (Spain), Franck Ribéry (France), Wayne Rooney (England), John Terry (England), Fernando Torres (Spain), David Villa (Spain) and Xavi (Spain).

http://www.fifa.com/classicfootball/releases/newsid=1125630.html
http://www.oddschecker.com/football/football-specials/fifa-world-player-of-the-year/win-market

Settlement details:As reported by a major mainstream news source.

Forecast history %

Lionel Messi

98%

Cristiano Ronaldo

Wayne Roony

Franc Ribery

Fernando Torres

Xavi

Andres Iniesta

Other

Settled as Lionel Messi on Thu 24th Dec 2009 6:25am PST

Activity: H$266,915
Predictions: 210
Comments: 0

Suspend date: Sun 20th Dec 2009 11:59pm PST
Settlement date: Thu 24th Dec 2009 6:25am PST
Prediction cut-off: Predictions on this question after Sun 20th Dec 2009 11:59pm PST have been voided because they were made after the question could be settled

Initial likelihoods: Lionel Messi: 62%, Cristiano Ronaldo: 7%, Wayne Roony: 6%, Franc Ribery: 6%, Fernando Torres: 6%, Xavi: 5%, Andres Iniesta: 5%, Other: 3%

Action history:

Created Fri 30th Oct 2009 5:47am PST by

kruijs [Power User]

Suspended Sun 20th Dec 2009 11:59pm PST : Suspend date reached

Settlement requested Wed 23rd Dec 2009 7:48pm PST by