Best of 2009

It's been a great year so, as the decade draws to a close, Soccernetstore remembers some of the best moments and some of the best kit to go with them.

Messi Named FIFA Player of the Year

...separate Spanish and European titles. The 22-year old Messi beat 2008 winner Cristiano Ronaldo, 2007 winner Kaka, and teammates Xavi Hernandez and Andres Iniesta. Barcelona won the UEFA Champions League, Spanish league, and Copa...

Ten best players of the decade

Dominic Raynor offers his selection of the ten greatest players of the past decade.

FC Barcelona's Messi wins World Player of the Year

Lionel Messi is the FIFA World Player of the Year after leading FC Barcelona to an unprecedented trio of Spanish and European titles.

Messi on top of the world

Lionel Messi was rewarded for a stunning year in which he helped Barcelona to an unprecedented six trophies by being named FIFA's World Player of the Year.

...Brazil's Kaka, left, fights for the ball with Argentina's Javier Mascherano during a 2010 World Cup qualifying soccer...

Real Madrid 6-0 Real Zaragoza

...just two minutes.Van der Vaart, enjoying plenty of playing time in the absence of the injured Kaka, then twice went close before doubling his side's lead in the 26th minute following another good...

Real Madrid v Real Zaragoza: Preview

...signing Cristiano Ronaldo miss 10 matches earlier this season with an ankle injury and lost Brazilian superstar Kaka for the final four games of 2009 with a sports hernia.Pellegrini admits Pepe's injury is...

Fiorentina v AC Milan: Preview

...trip will evoke memories for Milan of the last game of last season - a match which saw Kaka and Paolo Maldini play their last appearances for the Rossoneri, who were under the guidance of Carlo...

The year of the "Mad Drog"

Dominic Raynor gets all mist-eyed as he looks back on 2009 in a The Year That Was special.

Patrice Evra guarantees David Beckham a warm welcome

Patrice Evra will help roll out the Old Trafford welcome mat for David Beckham - and then try to boot the former Manchester United star out of the Champions League.

Jean-Michel Aulas pleased with Karim Benzema reunion

Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas is looking forward to renewing the "great bond" between his club and Karim Benzema after Les Gones were drawn against Real Madrid in the first knockout round of the Champions League.

Morbo at the Mestalla

Phil Ball looks at the rivalry between Real Madrid and Valencia in the wake of the merengues' Mestalla victory.

The biggest stories of the decade

Mark Lomas picks out the ten biggest stories from a decade of football trials and tribulations.

Ibrahimovic, Higuain fire Barca and Real

Teenage striker Iker Muniain came off the bench to inspire Athletic Bilbao to a 2-1 win at struggling Real Zaragoza in La Liga on Saturday and increase the pressure on Zaragoza coach Marcelino.