[1] La Masia, the FC Barcelona academy, achieved a record breaking honor in becoming the first youth academy ever to have all three finalists for the Ballon d'Or in one same year, with Lionel Messi, Andrés Iniesta and Xavi.

[2][3] Messi won the award, his second consecutive Ballon d'Or victory.

Marta won the FIFA Women's World Player of the Year award, her fifth in a row.

[4] José Mourinho, Portuguese manager of Real Madrid and previously of Internazionale, was the first winner of the men's FIFA World Coach of the Year award in 2010.

The women's version of the award was won by Germany head coach Silvia Neid.