IT came as no surprise to anyone this week when Lionel Messi won the FIFA World Player of the Year. Others may have had good years but Messi was streaks ahead of all of them. He certainly is a worthy winner. Just look at what he won with his team, Barcelona, in the 2008/09 season.

They won everything they entered with the crowning moment coming when they beat Manchester United in Rome to win the Champions League.

Messi is still only 22 years-old so do not be surprised if he wins this award again. He is a joy to watch and although he comes from Argentina he joined Barcelona as a 13 year-old.

It was clear to many that this little player would become a master – in 2005 at the World Youth Championships he was voted the best player and top scorer – just like Maradona had done many years before.

And then in 2008 he led Argentina to the gold medal at the Olympics.

The only real blip this past year or so has been his play with Argentina in World Cup qualifying. The team scraped through to qualify for South Africa and I for one really hope he turns it on next summer. Players like Messi are the ones everyone pays to watch and I hope he has a great tournament.

Like Ronaldo last year, Messi also won the Ballon d'Or for the best European player and last weekend he again showed his skill when he led Barca to the final of the Club World Cup in Abu Dhabi where they beat Estudiantes 2-1after extra-time. That was Barca's sixth trophy of the year. And his winning goal was taken superbly as he scored with his chest. In 2010 I hope Messi gives us the highlights he did last year.

I was sad to see Mark Hughes lose his job as manager of Manchester City but that is what it is like these days when you work for billionaires. If you do not get immediate results then you are out.

I am sure Hughes will have a good pay-off and I am also sure he will be managing somewhere else soon. I know the Arab owners gave a huge amount of money to Hughes to buy players and buy he did. But just because you have a lot of money that does not guarantee success. City are scoring well but they are also giving up a lot of goals – nine in the last three games. However, they have been hurt by the number of draws they have had. After all they have only lost twice this season – less than any other club in the Premier League.

New manager Roberto Mancini knows he will have to have success – right away. There is no question that Mancini is a good manager having been in charge of Inter Milan where he won three Serie A titles.

But England is a different place and it will be interesting to see how he does.

Although Manchester United were thoroughly beaten 3-0 by Fulham last weekend no-one is running away with the league. The next day Chelsea travelled to Upton Park and I must say I was very proud of my boys who managed to get a point after holding the leaders to a 1-1 draw.

We played some very good football. I thought Scott Parker and Mark Noble played very well – in particular Parker who tackled hard and ran his guts out. He really set the standard and if I were England manager Fabio Capello I would definitely think about taking him to South Africa next summer. He can do so much for a team.

Franco was also on form and had a great header right at the end which brought the best out of keeper Cech.

It was a penalty for each side but I didn't think Chelsea should have been awarded one when Upson tackled sub Sturridge. Upson won the ball and why the ref or the linesman didn't see it I can't say.

However, Chelsea had a legitimate call for a penalty when we handled in the area in the first half. I also think we should have been awarded a second penalty when Carvalho ran over Franco, knocking the Mexican to the ground. To me it was pretty obvious.

But all in all I was pleased with the performance. Now we have to try and get three points on Boxing Day when we host Portsmouth.

I also noticed that young striker Sturridge came on for Chelsea and he made a very good impression. Very busy and quite dangerous. Sturridge went to Chelsea from Manchester City in the summer so whenever he gets a chance to impress he has to take it.

Manchester United were comprehensively beaten by Fulham and I take my hat off to manager Roy Hodgson. He really has done well with the team and it is no surprise to anyone who has followed his career. I especially like the play of Danny Murphy and the American Clint Dempsey.

While the leagues in England see games coming fast and thick over the Christmas holidays, it is the opposite for the rest of Europe where they stop for a winter break.

And one team who will be happy for that break are Juventus. They have been having a nightmare recently.

Last weekend Juv lost at home to lowly Catania – their fifth loss in six games – and the fans booed the team off. I know that manager Ciro Ferrara will be looking over his shoulder.

Bermuda's Under-23 team takes on Trinidad on Monday and I wish all the best to the young players. I understand that Reggie Lambe is returning home from Ipswich and I hope he takes the game by the scruff of the neck. He is doing well over in England and all power to him.

Finally I would like to wish everyone a happy – and safe – Christmas.