Lionel Messi scored a brace while Xavi and Cesc Fabregas chipped in with a goal apiece to secure a 4-0 win over Brazilian side Santos in Yokohama on Sunday night.

Puyol felt that Santos were unable to cope with Barcelona's attacking verve.

"We came out with great intensity and found the net pretty early on. That really gave us peace of mind and helped a lot," Puyol said.

Villa faces up to six months on the sidelines after breaking the shinbone in his left leg in Barcelona's semi-final win over Al Sadd, while Afellay is still recovering from knee surgery.

"We dedicate this title to those who are not here in Japan due to injury. We are even stronger with them and I want to dedicate this victory to them," Puyol added.

"We never had any doubts about ourselves. We are always working hard to improve. We put in a very intense performance and that troubled Santos. The pace of the game in Brazil is much slower and they were surprised by our approach."

Puyol said he was happy to have kept Santos star Neymar quiet, which went a long way to winning the game for his team.

"We were wary of Neymar ahead of the game after analysing him, but we managed to keep him quiet and stop him," the defender said.

Meanwhile, Messi was named the best player of the tournament after his performance in Sunday's final.

The 24-year-old was chosen ahead of team-mate Xavi and Neymar, who finished second and third respectively, to receive the title after the final whistle.

Xavi was recognised for setting up Messi for the opening goal, as well as for scoring the second for Barcelona midway through the first half.

Neymar, meanwhile, was a key figure in Santos' semi-final victory over Kashiwa Reysol, where the Brazilians ran out 3-1 winners to set up a final clash with Barca.

Messi and Xavi's performances helped to secure a fifth title of the year for the club. Barcelona had already lifted the Champions League, La Liga, European Super Copa and Supercopa trophies over 2011, while Neymar missed out on his own personal quadruple having won the Paulista and Copa Libertadores with Santos, and the South American Under-20 Championship with Brazil.