Gerrard and Torres named in World XI

LIVERPOOL FC stars Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres have been named in the FIFA/FIFPro World XI.

The Reds captain and striker took their places in the team alongside Fifa's new World Player of the Year, Lionel Messi, as well as several other Premiership big names.

The 22-year-old Argentinian playmaker won the award for the first time, beating last year's winner Cristiano Ronaldo, his two clubmates Andres Iniesta and Xavi and Brazil midfielder Kaka. He was presented with the trophy at a glittering awards gala in Zurich.

Messi said: "I'm extremely happy. We've just ended a historic year, a perfect year in which we've won every competition we've played in. We just needed to take this last step and everything has worked out how we wanted. It's amazing."

The award is voted for by the coaches and captains of each national side.

The XI, voted for by members of the international professional footballers' union FIFPro, were: Iker Casillas (Real Madrid), John Terry (Chelsea), Nemanja Vidic (Man Utd), Patrice Evra (Man Utd), Daniel Alves (Barcelona), Xavi (Barcelona), Andres Iniesta (Barcelona), Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Lionel Messi (Barcelona), Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid), Fernando Torres (Liverpool).

Terry said: "There is no higher accolade than to be voted for by your fellow professionals so we are all very proud."

Ronaldo won the FIFA Puskas award for the best goal of the 2008/09 season - his long-range thunderbolt for Manchester United against Porto in the Champions League in April.

Brazilian player Marta won the FIFA women's player of the year award for the fourth year in a row.

England's Kelly Smith, who left Arsenal to play in the new USA's new Women's Professional Soccer league for Boston Breakers earlier this year, was named amongst the top five.

Smith said: "This is a real honour for me.

"It was tough for me to leave my home country because I'm very proud and passionate to be English.

"I just wanted to be amongst the best players in the world and that's certainly the case and I'm now pursuing my dream."

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