Messi: FIFA Player of the Year

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  • EaglesPhan36
    SBR Aristocracy
    • 12-06-06
    • 71662

    #1
    Messi: FIFA Player of the Year
    Since bursting on to the world scene in 2005, Lionel Messi has just got better and better. Continually in the headlines for his mazy dribbles and superbly taken goals, the diminutive Argentinian has won trophy after trophy with Barcelona. The one accolade he had yet to get his hands on was the FIFA World Player Award, until Monday evening that it is.

    Voted into second place in the last two years, Messi has finally earned the unanimous recognition of the world’s players and coaches, capping a year in which he played an integral part in his club’s clean sweep of six trophies. And after taking receipt of the award in Zurich, the ever-humble maestro shared his thoughts with FIFA.com in an exclusive interview.

    FIFA.com: Lionel, it is a case of third time lucky for you at the FIFA World Player Gala. Congratulations. How do you feel about winning the award?
    Lionel Messi: I’m just very happy. It’s lovely to get this recognition from colleagues and coaches. That makes it even more important. The fact that I’m the first Argentinian to win it is also a great honour.

    Who else do you think would have deserved to win the award?
    I think any of the Barcelona players here would have deserved to win it for everything the club has achieved this season.

    You have won every single competition with Barcelona this year and you have also picked up most of the individual awards going. How will you look back on 2009?

    Everything has been great, very positive. We won everything there was to win as a team and I achieved things on a personal level. Obviously I’m very happy about it all, though none of this would have been possible without my team-mates. This recognition is for them too.

    Is there any moment that stands out in particular?
    I think I’d have to say the Champions League final against Manchester United. That’s the game I remember most because of what it meant. And because of my goal.

    It’s lovely to get this recognition from colleagues and coaches. That makes it even more important. The fact that I’m the first Argentinian to win it is also a great honour.
    Lionel Messi

    You were nominated along with Xavi and Iniesta. The youth coaches at Barcelona are obviously doing a good job.I think so. This is recognition for the club for all the work they are doing with the team and all the youth sides. And all that work can be seen not just on a night like tonight but whenever the first team plays.

    It has been an outstanding year for you with Barcelona. In personal terms do you see this as the high point of your career?
    There’s no doubt it’s been a spectacular year. I was fortunate enough to achieve a lot of important things but I’m not going to settle for what I’ve got. I’m still very young and there are still a lot of things for me to experience and try to achieve. You can always keep on growing.

    You scored in four of Barcelona’s five finals in 2009. There is no doubt that you always seem to shine on the big occasion.
    I honestly don’t know. I was lucky enough to be able to score a lot of goals in the finals, that’s true, but that’s all the result of teamwork. I was just fortunate to be there to score the goals.

    This year has almost been a dream for you.
    It’s been more than that. Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine all the things I’ve experienced and achieved this year. And that’s the truth.

    Things were not quite so easy in the qualifiers for South Africa 2010 though.
    Yes, that was very tough. We struggled to qualify but we reached our objective in the end. The important thing is that we now have time in which we can work,
    change things around and arrive in the best possible shape.

    Let’s talk about 2010. What are your hopes for the year ahead?
    It’s going to be an important year for lots of reasons. There’s the World Cup, which I want to win with Argentina. And then we have to defend all the titles we’ve won with Barcelona. It won’t be easy because no one has ever done it before. And now we have the responsibility of trying to do it again for a second consecutive year. We’re going to give it a go though.

    You mentioned the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™. What is your view of Argentina’s group?
    It’s a tough section without a doubt. It’s a mistake to think there are easy teams at the World Cup. All the sides are proud to defend their country and they all present different challenges. We really need to be on top form if we are going to go through.

    The last time Argentina had so much trouble in qualifying was in 1986, and we all know what happened then.
    Let’s hope history repeats itself (pauses). Argentina have gone into the finals as favourites on other occasions and done nothing. But this time, who knows? Things are the other way round this time and we might just spring a surprise.
  • Shark79
    SBR Posting Legend
    • 11-19-07
    • 11211

    #2
    He just gave Barca there 6th title this yr.

    Well deserved.
    Comment
    • demize21
      SBR MVP
      • 11-03-08
      • 3541

      #3
      too bad he wont do anything come WC time gold&blue all the way!!!!
      Comment
      • mihaita666
        SBR Hall of Famer
        • 09-13-09
        • 8596

        #4
        he scored in UCL final, he was the top goalscorer of Primera Division and UCL....he deserves this award...
        Soccer record (2010) : 244-160-24
        2010-2011 season (soccer) :
        144-95-11
        NBA Record (2010-2011 season) :
        17-12-1


        Comment
        • Wilforth
          Restricted User
          • 05-10-08
          • 16309

          #5
          Originally posted by demize21
          too bad he wont do anything come WC time gold&blue all the way!!!!


          Demize, I know you're rooting for Brazil but here are 3 facts in favor of Argentina winning the cup:

          1) Like Messi said, on all the occasions Argentina has been to the WC as favorites, they did nothing. The only time they went there as a clear outsider in 1986, they won it.
          2) Brazil was written off ahead of the 2002 WC. Pele even predicted they would be eliminated in the first round. In the end, they won the Cup.
          3) Denmark didn't qualify for Euro 1992. They were only picked to fill in Yugoslavia's place because the then Yugoslavia was politically unstable at the time. Denmark, which didn't even qualify for the tournament, got there and won it.

          With the way Argentina struggled to qualify, something tells me they'll get their acts together and win in SA. That would mean Maradona winning the WC as player and coach!
          Comment
          • demize21
            SBR MVP
            • 11-03-08
            • 3541

            #6
            pele predictions are never right

            i think only legitimate shot is Spain or Brazil this year IMO
            messi is only good when he has Spanish or Brazilian players next to him that whole team is
            selfish-----> (ARG)

            don't think they will make the finals but hey ive been wrong before, Brazil has some of the strongest players in the world to select from it should be an interesting one nevertheless

            Messi gets all respect he earned it just don't like ARG as a whole its like FLA/VASCO FLA/FLU LOL BRA/arg same thing arch rivals till the end
            Comment
            • demize21
              SBR MVP
              • 11-03-08
              • 3541

              #7
              prediction---> Fabiano and or Adriano will score more goals than Messi in WC
              Comment
              • mantorras77
                SBR Sharp
                • 05-08-09
                • 378

                #8
                Originally posted by demize21
                prediction---> Fabiano and or Adriano will score more goals than Messi in WC
                that's obvious....Fabiano is a true striker...Messi is not.
                Comment
                • demize21
                  SBR MVP
                  • 11-03-08
                  • 3541

                  #9
                  more than C. Rolando too i know i get e a better response now
                  Comment
                  • alka07
                    SBR Sharp
                    • 10-04-09
                    • 441

                    #10
                    messi was the best this year no doubt
                    Comment
                    • demize21
                      SBR MVP
                      • 11-03-08
                      • 3541

                      #11
                      hands down look who his support was couldn't of done it alone!
                      Comment
                      • rfr3sh
                        SBR Posting Legend
                        • 11-07-09
                        • 10229

                        #12
                        England to win it
                        Heskey Golden Boot!!!
                        Comment
                        • Wilforth
                          Restricted User
                          • 05-10-08
                          • 16309

                          #13
                          Originally posted by rfr3sh
                          England to win it
                          Heskey Golden Boot!!!
                          Comment
                          • mihaita666
                            SBR Hall of Famer
                            • 09-13-09
                            • 8596

                            #14
                            england to win it.....not impossible
                            heskey golden but....is there an odd at any bookie for this ) ?
                            Soccer record (2010) : 244-160-24
                            2010-2011 season (soccer) :
                            144-95-11
                            NBA Record (2010-2011 season) :
                            17-12-1


                            Comment
                            • demize21
                              SBR MVP
                              • 11-03-08
                              • 3541

                              #15
                              england i think has a better chance than ARG
                              Comment
                              • mihaita666
                                SBR Hall of Famer
                                • 09-13-09
                                • 8596

                                #16
                                i think so too...except for messi and higuain, argentina is crap
                                Soccer record (2010) : 244-160-24
                                2010-2011 season (soccer) :
                                144-95-11
                                NBA Record (2010-2011 season) :
                                17-12-1


                                Comment
                                • demize21
                                  SBR MVP
                                  • 11-03-08
                                  • 3541

                                  #17
                                  Originally posted by Wilforth
                                  LMAO England outside chance but heskey that's just absurd not even the bronze would be realistic
                                  Comment
                                  • mihaita666
                                    SBR Hall of Famer
                                    • 09-13-09
                                    • 8596

                                    #18
                                    england has rooney, owen, agbdonlahor...especially rooney has chances of winning the goalscorer title.
                                    Soccer record (2010) : 244-160-24
                                    2010-2011 season (soccer) :
                                    144-95-11
                                    NBA Record (2010-2011 season) :
                                    17-12-1


                                    Comment
                                    • Phillth
                                      SBR MVP
                                      • 04-09-09
                                      • 1785

                                      #19
                                      could messi play in the premier league? i think not.
                                      Comment
                                      • mihaita666
                                        SBR Hall of Famer
                                        • 09-13-09
                                        • 8596

                                        #20
                                        i think in 3, 4 years he will want to leave barcelona...but i'd rather see him in italy
                                        Soccer record (2010) : 244-160-24
                                        2010-2011 season (soccer) :
                                        144-95-11
                                        NBA Record (2010-2011 season) :
                                        17-12-1


                                        Comment
                                        • TurkzZ
                                          SBR MVP
                                          • 01-07-09
                                          • 4095

                                          #21
                                          i think he will stay at Barce for most his career if not all of it,
                                          Forward points to Karayilan, i am unable to receive SBR points
                                          Comment
                                          • Wilforth
                                            Restricted User
                                            • 05-10-08
                                            • 16309

                                            #22
                                            Originally posted by mihaita666
                                            england has rooney, owen, agbdonlahor...especially rooney has chances of winning the goalscorer title.
                                            The system England plays won't allow Rooney win the golden boot. I think the golden boot will be won by a striker outside of the Villa-Torres-Fabiano-Adriano-Rooney-Drogba bracket. It may be won by a striker from one of the WC outsiders who may score like 4 goals in one game against a country with a very shitty defense.
                                            Comment
                                            • waco66
                                              SBR MVP
                                              • 04-14-09
                                              • 1645

                                              #23
                                              Messi is just an unbelievable player
                                              Comment
                                              • Wilforth
                                                Restricted User
                                                • 05-10-08
                                                • 16309

                                                #24
                                                Originally posted by waco66
                                                Messi is just an unbelievable player
                                                He's an attacking midfielder, winger and striker all rolled into one. While on the ball, he's such a joy to behold. His mesmerizing dribbling skills, positioning, ball movement, anticipation and courage are second to none right now. He's such a perfect gift to Barcelona. Given his tender age and barring career-threatening injuries, he'll rule the soccer world for years to come. He's a pure natural talent. He doesn't fake it, because he has no need to fake anything. Matter-of-fact, soccer dwells in him.
                                                Comment
                                                • demize21
                                                  SBR MVP
                                                  • 11-03-08
                                                  • 3541

                                                  #25
                                                  only thing about brazil as past history has shown except when ronaldo won golden boot due to the team being structired that way this year we have many play makers and should have numerous scores which would prevent fabian/adriano or any single brazilian striker from getting it lately in wc quals and friendlies fabiano has been getting setup so if it continues like that than he could definately get it i see either fabian/villa / adriano/torres/c ronaldo/drogba and an outside chance of rooney i think hes way overated as for messi ive already explained that team is too selfish as of recently unless they change things up i dont see them going to far or winning any awards

                                                  on side note yes Messi is hand down great just dont like ARG LOL
                                                  Comment
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