Barcelona´s Messi named World Player of the Year

[IranSoccer#8]

nope
next year has Didier Drogba written all over it, if he carries his form and shines in ACN n WC

very true.

[Paradigm]

Messi hits back at Argentina critics

Dec/21/2009

MADRID (AFP) - Barcelona star Lionel Messi, has hit back at critics in his native Argentina who are angered over his failure to translate his club form to the international stage.

The Argentinian media have suggested the striker does not show the same enthusiasm when he plays for the national team as when he hits the pitch for the Catalan side, which he joined at the age of 13 as a youth team player.

"It really gets me when they say I do not feel the Albiceleste. Nothing hurts me more than when they say I am not Argentine," he said in an interview with daily El Pais, using the Spanish name for the Argentine national team.

"It does not bother me when they call me 'the Catalan' but it really bugs me that they think I am not Argentinian," the 22-year-old added.

Messi clinched an extra-time winner as Barcelona beat Estudiantes 2-1 Saturday to win the Club World Cup final, the European champions' sixth trophy of the year.

Minutes after he hit the winner for Barcelona, fans took to the streets in the Argentine province of La Plata where Estudiantes is based to protest against the player, Argentinian daily newspaper Clarin reported.

The fans left insulting graffiti against Messi on walls throughout the province and chanted "Messi is no Argentine", it said.

Messi told El Pais that the Club World Cup win was one of his best moments of the year.

"It is much better than an individual prize because it is a collective prize that makes many people happy," he said.

Messi was awarded the Ballon d'Or award for the European player of the year earlier this month, winning the prize by the biggest percentage of votes since it was created in 1956.

He joined Barcelona from Newell's Old Boys which is based in Rosario, Argentina in 2000.

In September the player signed a two-year contract extension which will keep him at the club until 2016. The deal increased his buy-out clause to 250 million euros from 150 million euros.

[radin119]

^^^where can you see who voted what?

i would like to know that as well

[shayan_esteghlali]

Javad Nekounam (captain) voted:
1. Messi
2. Kaka
3. C.Ronaldo

Ghotbi (coach) voted:
1. Kaka
2. Xavi
3. Messi

this shows that Nekounam has way more knowledge on football than that dalal ghotbi.

How do u put Messi third after Xavi and Kaka.

[elnino99]

why is Kaka among top 5 is beyond me

he was injured 50% of the season

[HuSsAiN]

It's the fact that he went to Real Madrid and a bigger club made him get in. He didn't do much to me.

Messi deserved it, and congrats to him.

[Iman_Joon]

Anyone who didn't put Messi as the 1st choice has be be either really arrogant or know nothing about football. For a coach to vote like this is sad.

Lol the Saudi captain and player for Al-ahli voted for 3 THREE Chelsea players

[Iman_Joon]

i would like to know that as well

Here guys..

http://www.fifa.com/mm/document/clas...orfifa.com.pdf

[elnino99]

LOL @ Gambia's Captain, all invalid votes, probably vote for himself
ps.: Casillas is so biased
Dunga voted for Torres , What does he smoke ?

[shayan20]

all those stupids who vote for kaka as first choice he only had a great 0607 season thats it.

[shayan_esteghlali]

u gotta know that people cant vote for a person from their own country.
before i knew that i was shocked seeing that mascherano didnt vote 4 messi

[radin119]

Here guys..
http://www.fifa.com/mm/document/clas...orfifa.com.pdf

Seyed Afshin Ghotbi

[shayan20]

The Messiah

[BacheLot]

this shows that Nekounam has way more knowledge on football than that dalal ghotbi.
How do u put Messi third after Xavi and Kaka.

lol, kaka..!! kaka is one of the most overrated footballers..!!
he is decent quality but most of his achievements comes to him when he hustles a lot..!! he aint gifted so to say.!!

Messi deserved this award last time around as well.!!

[BacheLot]

Anyway, if they sack Maradona and hire Hiddink. Argentina will win the WC maybe.

yup, they dont even have to upgrade coaching all that much to win it all..!! but they sure need a change to a more experienced, well respected international coach almost immediately to get past that somewhat tough group..!!