John Terry has been named defender of the year by UEFA, while Lionel Messi picked up the club footballer-of-the-year award.
Manchester United's Edwin van der Sar took the goalkeeper of the year award.
Barcelona captain Xavi Hernandez won the midfielder of the year award, and his team-mate Messi was also named forward of the year.
UEFA also made a special award to Paolo Maldini to commemorate his retirement after 24 years playing for AC Milan.
Hull boss Phil Brown is excited by the prospect of kicking off the Premier League season in front of an audience of millions - even though he expects his side to be on the back foot for most of the game.
Brown's side face Chelsea in the first game of the 2009/10 season in Saturday's early kick-off and, with the Blues expected to challenge hard for the title under new boss Carlo Ancelotti, it is a match which will draw plenty of attention.
And having survived their first top-flight season by the narrowest of margins, Brown is happy to be in the spotlight once again.
"Since we came back on July 1, everyone's mindset has been on Chelsea and Stamford Bridge," he said.
"It's been brought forward for TV so now it's even bigger and of course it's Carlo Ancelotti's first game so it's very exciting.
"It's the best stage in the world and we're on it again tomorrow morning. Who knows, we might even be top of the league before everyone else kicks off."
If that is to be the case, Brown accepts his side will have to soak up plenty of pressure in a game where they are expected to be on the back foot from kick-off.
"Certain managers are hell-bent on a certain system but we were quite flexible last year and I need that mentality again," he added.
"You're playing Chelsea one week and Bolton the next and, with no disrespect to either, there will be a difference in your tactics.
"At Chelsea we will spend long periods without the ball and I need players who understand that. First and foremost we'll need players who work hard to win the ball back for the team and then keep it."
Brown, who has added Stephen Hunt, Seyi Olofinjana, Jozy Altidore and Kamel Ghilas to his squad in the close season, also revealed he does not intend to rely on the new additions to spur his side on this year.
Instead, the former Derby chief believes it is his job to keep the Tigers' resolve strong.
Brown said: "I was at a Premier League managers' meeting last week and it's nice to look around and see the top guys, see the whites of their eyes and how hungry they are.
"If you're not as hungry as they are, then forget about it. You can bring all the good players in but you have to retain that hunger to compete at the highest level and stay in the Premier League."
Hunt, who completed his switch from Reading on Thursday, is ready for a debut but is anticipating hostility from the Blues fans, who remember him for his part in Petr Cech's skull fracture in 2006.
"That's history," said Hunt.
"I've been there twice since it happened and I'll probably be expecting (a hostile reception) but I don't mind.
"The important thing is to go and get something from the game. There's no point in going and giving a good account of ourselves and losing, it's about picking up points."
Arsene Wenger insists there is "no chance" of Cesc Fabregas being sold to Barcelona - and maintains his young Arsenal team can compete with the best this season.
The Gunners captain has once again been strongly linked with a big-money summer move away from Emirates Stadium - his boyhood club Barcelona the latest side said to be weighing up a formal bid.
However, with Arsenal about to embark on what could well be a defining campaign in the quest for a first trophy since the 2005 FA Cup, Wenger insists all such speculation is wide of the mark.
"Do you really think we sell now our players one day before the championship starts, players who are basic players of the team? There is no chance," declared the Gunners boss, who takes his side to Everton for the opening match of the season tomorrow.
"You cannot stop people from having a lot of creative imagination during their sleepless nights, but that does not mean we will do it."
Wenger himself has resisted the lures of some of Europe's top clubs to remain faithful to Arsenal, whom he has transformed since arriving some 13 seasons ago.
"I believe that in life you are committed to clubs with contracts and in no contract is the colour of your blood described," he said, referring to the pull a return to Spain would have on Fabregas.
"I am more committed than ever to my club, not only this season, but since I have arrived here.
"We are the beginning of a new season now, and it is important that everybody focuses - me, Fabregas everybody else, just on being successful for the club we love, and the best way we can do that is to do well."
Despite the sale of Togo striker Emmanuel Adebayor and defender Kolo Toure to Manchester City, Wenger maintains his squad is stronger than this time last year.
So far, Belgian centre-half Thomas Vermaelen is the only new face, although the return to full fitness of Croatia marksman Eduardo leaves Wenger feeling there is plenty of strength in attack.
"We are young and have developed. Why should we not be better in August than we were in March?" said the Arsenal manager, who will be without Walcott tomorrow, but hopes the England forward could be back for the Champions League qualifier against Celtic next week.
"We lost two great players. However, we have bought Vermaelen to replace Kolo and we have Eduardo back, who for me is a great player.
"We have players who develop very well and are young, like [Carlos] Vela, [Nicklas] Bendtner, Walcott, who are all strikers, so I do not feel we are short in these positions."
Wenger insists his squad can deliver come May.
"The ambition is to finish as high as possible. What is as high as possible is to finish first, it is as simple as that," he said.
"The competition is of a high level and many aspire to that, so let's continue to play the game the way we want to play it and I believe we can show that we have made big steps forward."
Wenger maintains Arsenal are no further forward in any potential transfer deals, which have included a look at bringing former captain Patrick Vieira back as well as Bordeaux's £12million-rated Morocco striker Marouane Chamakh and Fulham defender Brede Hangeland, or indeed over a proposed move away for Philippe Senderos to Everton.
"I have all the players in place," said the Arsenal manager.
"If we need to add one or two more, the transfer period is open until August 31.
"Ideally you want not to move any more, but you always have to adjust. If there is a need there, we will do it."
Wenger added: "There are still a lot of players who want to come to Arsenal, because they like the way we play and develop them.
"They feel they get access to top level competition, so I do not think we have a [financial] handicap.
"The market now is a world market, so you can always find good players.
"There are only a few players who have a price which we cannot reach - maybe 10 in the world, but for the rest, we have access to the market."
Real Madrid coach Manuel Pellegrini has dispelled the exit rumours of Gonzalo Higuain and Arjen Robben.
The two players have impressed the Los Blancos boss with their strong performances for the friendlies, with Pellegrini stating that Higuain "was never to be transferred".
Robben's future also seems to be secure at the Bernabeu, as the coach confirms that no player is on the transfer list.
The Dutch winger, who rejected a move to Tottenham Hotspur, has also declared his desire to stay.
With a team swelling with superstars, players are definitely expected to be uneasy.
"We have improved game after game but there is still a lot of work to do to be ready for the beginning of the season," Pellegrini said.
Though the ‘Neo-Galacticos' are still a work in progress, the Chilean is nonethless pleased with their growth.
Maria Sharapova was dumped out of the WTA LA Women's Tennis Championships by Flavia Pennetta in the semi-finals on Saturday night.
The 10th-seeded Italian saw off the Russian, who recently returned to action following 10 months on the sidelines with a shoulder injury, 6-2 4-6 6-3 to earn a final date with Samantha Stosur at the Los Angeles event.
Australian doubles specialist Stosur remains on course for a maiden singles title after storming into the final earlier on Saturday.
The 25-year-old, seeded 13, was far too strong for Sorana-Mihaela Cirstea and ran out a convincing 6-3 6-2 winner against the Romanian in just over an hour.
Sir Alex Ferguson has backed Wayne Rooney to fill the goalscoring void left by former Manchester United ace Cristiano Ronaldo.
Ronaldo, who joined Real Madrid's Galactico gravy train earlier this summer for a world record £80 million, lead the line for United in spectacular fashion throughout his stay at Old Trafford.
The Portugal international scored 117 times in 289 appearances for the Red Devils, and was the club's leading marksman for the past three seasons - finding the net on 66 occasions compared to Rooney's 38 during the same period.
Despite the statistical disparity, Ferguson is convinced that Rooney, who will play as an out and out centre-forward during the forthcoming campaign, can step up to the mark.
"I don't think the responsibility of getting more goals will trouble Wayne at all," Ferguson told reporters ahead of Sunday's Community Shield clash with Chelsea at Wembley.
"He's got the mental strength for all that kind of thing. He's proved that time and time again.
"He will be used as a central striker this season. He goes on these bursts of goals.
"Last season I think he hit seven in a row at one point - but if he can do that more consistently over the season he will get to 25 and above.
"But Wayne is a totally different type of player to Ronaldo.
"I don't think you can compare them, they are such different types."
Rooney, 23, has admitted that he is fully aware of the pressure set to placed upon his ever maturing shoulders.
The England international is however adamant that he is aiming to make this season one to remember, especially with the added incentive of a World Cup finals adventure next year.
"For me personally, next season could be the season that transforms me from someone who could be a great player into someone who is a great player," he told The Times newspaper.
"That's what I'm hoping. It's a massive season for the club and for me personally, with the prize at the end of it being the World Cup.
"It's a season which I want to grab with both hands."
With such a pivotal season looming large on the horizon, Rooney, whose robust approach to the beautiful game has periodically landed him in hot water, is also determined to continue giving his all for club and country, even if things don't always go according to plan.
"The older you get, the more you try to set a good example rather than a bad example," he explained.
"On the pitch I'm a competitor and when you're playing in the biggest league in the world, especially when I was starting at such a young age, there are a lot of emotions.
"I've worked on that. Sometimes I get a booking or do something and it's all over the papers or on the news or whatever. I see other players doing ten times worse and nothing is mentioned. But I understand it.
"That's the way I've been brought up. I've been brought up to try to do the best I can in everything I do.
"I don't think I've ever come off the pitch and thought that I hadn't done the best I could have done. Sometimes it goes to plan and sometimes it doesn't, but I've never come off the pitch thinking I didn't give my best and I don't think I ever will."
United's defence of their Barclays Premier League campaign will get underway next Sunday when they entertain Alex McLeish's newly promoted Birmingham City at Old Trafford.
Xabi Alonso bade Liverpool farewell after his move to Real Madrid, but admitted he had been "determined" to leave for some time.
Alonso was presented as a Real Madrid player last night after signing a five-year contract at the Bernabeu.
The Basque midfielder joins Madrid from Liverpool for around £30million and was unveiled at the stadium.
The 27-year-old Spain international arrived in the capital after a fee was agreed between Liverpool and Real.
Alonso then underwent various tests and met his new team-mates for training.
The midfielder is Madrid's eighth summer signing, taking the Primera Division giants' spending to more than £220million in only two months.
Madrid president Florentino Perez has brought in Cristiano Ronaldo, Kaka, Raul Albiol, Esteban Granero, Alvaro Arbeloa, Alvaro Negredo and Karim Benzema as he attempts to build a team capable of challenging Barcelona's treble winners.
"It's a very happy day for me," said Alonso. "It's an important step in my career to come to a club like Real Madrid.
"I'm very happy to be part of this club and I was very excited for this day to arrive.
"It's the best opportunity for me to develop as a footballer."
The transfer sees Alonso return to Spain after five years away from his homeland.
And, while he enjoyed his time on Merseyside, the former Real Sociedad player admitted he decided before the end of the season the time was right to move on.
"I am very grateful to Liverpool fans, they were very warm during my five years," he continued. "It will be really difficult to match their appreciation.
"I really enjoyed those five years.
"But a few months ago I took that decision as I thought it was the right moment to find a fresh challenge, to look for a new club.
"That's when Real Madrid came along. Luckily a deal has been done and I'm very happy.
"It is a personal challenge I felt is necessary for my football career."
The transfer was one of the most protracted deals of the summer but Alonso claims he always believed he would be at the Bernabeu before the start of the season.
"I didn't have all the cards in my hand but I was confident," he said. "A while back I became determined to leave.
"The end result was what I wished for, here I am and I am very happy."
Reports suggest Alonso's relationship with Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez disintegrated after he professed his desire to leave.
However, Alonso insists he has nothing but respect for his former boss.
"I have repeated over and over again that the relationship was a professional one, of mutual respect, a normal one between coach and player," he said.
"I respect him and thank him for the opportunity he gave me.
"The goodbyes were quite brief, everything happened very quickly and I didn't have time to say goodbye properly.
"I want to return to say goodbye to my team-mates and Rafa.
"As everything was very quick I hardly had time so as soon as I can I will say goodbye as I should have done."
Xabi Alonso has passed his medical at Real Madrid and is on the verge of completing his move to the Bernabeu.
The 27-year-old midfielder arrived in the Spanish capital this morning after a fee, believed to be £30million, was agreed between Liverpool and Real Madrid.
Alonso then underwent various tests and is expected to link up with his new team-mates at an afternoon training session.
Madrid chief doctor Carlos Diez told the club's television channel: "We carried out all the usual tests, concentrating on the musculoskeletal system because he has already had an ankle operation and we are satisfied because there are no signs anything is wrong.
"He is fit to join the squad."
Alonso is set to become Madrid's eighth summer signing, taking the Primera Division giants spending to over £220million in just two months.
Madrid president Florentino Perez has brought in Cristiano Ronaldo, Kaka, Raul Albiol, Esteban Granero, Arbeloa, Alvaro Negredo and Karim Benzema as he attempts to build a team capable of challenging Barcelona's treble winners.
It is not yet known whether Alonso will travel with the rest of the Madrid squad to the United States tomorrow.
Real's general director Jorge Valdano is delighted to have signed the Spain international but insists there will be no more new faces at the Bernabeu.
"Xabi was a very important piece," he told Cadena Ser. "I'm delighted that what started six years ago has been completed now.
"He will immediately join the group and tomorrow he will talk to (coach Manuel) Pellegrini to see if he will go with the rest of the team to the USA.
"This is a special season, we had to do unprecedented things.
"With Xabi we have closed the chapter of signings. Now we have to work on the exits of professionals who won't be here next season."
One of the first to leave was Madrid veteran Michel Salgado after Madrid came to an agreement to pay off the final year of his contract.
Madrid still continue to be linked to Bayern Munich's Franck Ribery who they have been after all summer.
But Valdano claims they have given up on the France international for now.
He continued: "With Ribery Bayern took up a very firm position and Madrid decided to wait for another opportunity.
"With the arrival of Arbeloa there are up to six players who can play on the wing and it is for that reason we decided to let Michel Salgado go.
"It was very easy to reach an agreement."
Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez insists he wants Xabi Alonso to stay at Anfield.
Reports in Spain have indicated Real Madrid are as keen as ever to sign the midfielder.
But Benitez said on Sunday night: "He is our player and we want him to stay."
Benitez saw his side suffer a 3-0 defeat to Espanyol in a pre-season friendly on Sunday night, as former Chelsea forward Ben Sahar scored twice against a strong Liverpool team, captained by Steven Gerrard.
Alonso came off the bench for the closing minutes and it remains unclear whether he will start the season with Liverpool.
Benitez brushed off the setback of losing in a match which was set up to officially open Espanyol's new stadium.
"Nobody likes losing like that, but it's pre-season so it doesn't matter. I'm not worried about it," he said.
Asked if Javier Mascherano, who has been linked with Barcelona, will leave, Benitez said: "No."
A review of Saturday's friendlies involving Premier League sides, action that saw Arsenal win while Chelsea and Manchester City drew.
Andrey Arshavin emerged off the bench to score twice as Arsenal secured a 2-1 win over Atletico Madrid in the Emirates Cup.
Arshavin looked to have won the game when he guided home with five minutes remaining, although their Spanish counterparts replied immediately though German Pacheco.
Just when it looked like being a frustrating day's work for Arsene Wenger's men at the Emirates, Arshavin squeezed the ball home from a virtually impossible angle to snatch the victory.
The competition had earlier got off to a tepid opening as Clydesdale Bank Premier League champions Rangers beat Paris St Germain 1-0 thanks to a scrappy winner from defender Madjid Bougherra.
The four-team tournament began with a minute's applause for Sir Bobby Robson, who died on Friday, aged 76.
The tribute to the former England manager was immaculate with the travelling Scottish fans joining in enthusiastically.
But the football served up by both sides was, for much of the game, typical of a pre-season affair.
The Scottish champions finally broke the deadlock in the 75th minute when a corner from Pedro Mendes was headed into the net by defender Bougherra via the underside of the crossbar and the back of Claude Makelele.
Kolo Toure hobbled out of his Manchester City debut after an hour as Mark Hughes' side played out an entertaining 1-1 draw at Barnsley.
City enjoyed long periods of dominance but substitute Daniel Bogdanovic was allowed room chase down a long ball and fire past Shay Given with seven minutes remaining, before Martin Petrov grabbed an 88th minute equaliser.
Toure was withdrawn following a tangle defending a Barnsley corner, but didn't appear to be in great discomfort as he departed down the tunnel.
Two goals in the final two minutes saw Chelsea fightback to earn a 2-2 draw with Reading at the Madejski Stadium.
A strong Chelsea team, which included the likes of Petr Cech, Ashley Cole, Didier Drogba and Nicolas Anelka, were behind at the break following Jimmy Kebe's strike and Scott Davies' free-kick.
Chelsea were a constant threat and the Reading defence had done well to keep the Blues at bay, but Salomon Kalou slotted home in the final minute and Reading captain Alex Pearce turned Florent Malouda's cross into his own net.
Trailing 1-0 from Wednesday's first leg at Celtic Park, Hoops manager Tony Mowbray used this match to increase the fitness levels of his squad but he may have expected some more encouragement from the display.
Goals either side of the break from Kieran Richardson and Kenwyne Jones gave the visitors a well-deserved lead until Hoops midfielder Marc Crosas put a better spin on proceedings when he pulled a goal back.
An injury-time goal from Arnaud Mendy earned Derby a 2-2 friendly draw with Stoke.
Tony Pulis' Premier League side took the lead through Liam Lawrence's opener seven minutes in, only for Stephen Pearson to level four minutes after the break.
Ricardo Fuller then restored Stoke's lead with 25 minutes to go before Mendy again brought Nigel Clough's side back on even terms.
Marcus Tudgay's late strike helped Sheffield Wednesday recover from a two-goal deficit to draw 2-2 with Blackburn at Hillsborough.
The Premier League club raced ahead through goals from Ryan Nelson and Jason Roberts.
Akpo Sodje reduced the Owls' arrears but Blackburn had a chance to restore their two-goal advantage when Richard Wood was penalised for a foul on Steven Nzonzi.
However, El-Hadji Diouf's tame penalty was saved by Lee Grant and the rebound was scrambled clear by the Wednesday defence.
Brian Laws' side equalised through a superb volley from Tudgay.
Nottingham Forest saw off Birmingham 2-1 to complete their pre-season programme in impressive style.
Goals from David McGoldrick and substitute Robert Earnshaw secured the victory in a game they should have won by a greater margin.
City gave themselves a lifeline with 10 minutes remaining when Lee Carsley struck goal but the hosts held on comfortably.
Burnley were beaten 2-1 by League One side Leeds in their friendly at Turf Moor.
Despite missing a number of key players to injury, Leeds went ahead through Mike Grella and extended their lead thanks to Andy Robinson's strike.
David Edgar grabbed a consolation for Burnley late on.
Wigan's preparations for the new season suffered a setback at Carrow Road as they lost 3-2 at League One Norwich - after twice being ahead.
The Latics went in front after just nine minutes through Charles N'Zogbia's cool finish, but the impressive Canaries were back on level terms before the break as Chris Martin sidefooted home Jon Otsemobor's cross after some poor defending on the right.
Wigan quickly regained the lead through Cho Won-Hee who produced a superb finish after being set up by Jason Scotland's clever pass.
But the hosts had the final word, quickly equalising through Martin's second goal of the game before grabbing a winner after 76 minutes when Simon Whaley slipped the ball past keeper Mike Pollitt.
Steve Finnan limped off on his debut for Portsmouth, who were crushed 4-0 by Benfica in their second and final match in the City of Guimaraes Trophy.
Oscar Cardoza's curling 16th-minute free-kick gave the Portuguese giants the lead and four minutes later the same player doubled the advantage when he rounded off a flowing move.
Finnan was introduced for the second half but within 25 minutes he went off injured with what appeared to be a hamstring injury and before substitute Luke Wilkinson could replace the former Liverpool defender, Benfica made it 3-0 when Weldon headed home Carlos Martin's cross.
And Benfica's emphatic victory was sealed with five minutes left when Wilkinson turned Di Maria's cross into his own net.
Felipe Massa has admitted he is lucky to be alive after last week's crash in the Hungarian Grand Prix, and is vowing to race again.
The Brazilian has made a swift recovery from life-saving surgery required after the accident during qualifying for the event last Saturday.
Massa was struck by a suspension spring which had worked its way off Rubens Barrichello's Brawn GP, resulting in the Brazilian crashing his Ferrari into a tyre barrier.
After the operation, Massa spent two days in a medically-induced coma, but has improved rapidly since waking earlier this week.
He plans to return home to Sao Paulo tomorrow and told the News of the World: "I know I'm lucky to be alive.
"I don't remember anything about the accident but I will race again."
He explained: "When I woke up I didn't know why I was in hospital, so I was asking 'why am I here?'.
"I was pulling all the tubes and Eduardo, my brother, tried to stop me - so we had a fight.
"The accident was so unlucky but I know I'm lucky to be alive. I don't remember anything of what happened.
"It was my race, so when I awoke from the coma I couldn't believe it when they told me Lewis (Hamilton) had won and Kimi (Raikkonen) was second."
Seven-times world champion Michael Schumacher visited Massa in hospital and said: "It's good I finally made it to see Felipe - I feel better now.
"I'm surprised at his condition as the accident was only a week ago. We chatted for three hours and I feel really relieved now."
The 40-year-old German, who will deputise for Ferrari in the absence of Massa, has wasted little time in getting behind the wheel again.
With in-season testing banned, Schumacher is not allowed to drive the current Ferrari, but has been practising in an older car.
He added: "I have to say I'm feeling muscles I was not even aware existed any more - but you cannot test for a day after such a lot of time without feeling anything.
"I'm curious to see what will happen in the coming days."
