Massimo Busacca, from Switzerland, has been named the best referee of 2009 by the International Federation of Football History and Statistics (IFFHS).
Busacca received a total of 225 points from a panel of global football historians.
The 40-year-old took charge of last season’s Champions League final between Barcelona and Manchester United in Rome.
Last year’s number one, Roberto Rosetti, was voted second, with Howard Webb as second runner-up.
All three referees are expected to be present at the upcoming World Cup in South Africa.
