Player Of The Year: Messi Dedicates Awards To Mates

Argentina’s Lionel Messi, who was named World Player of the Year for the second time in a row last night, has dedicated his award to Barcelona teammates.  Messi surprisingly beat his Barcelona teammates Andres Iniesta and Xavi to the prize.

Iniesta and Xavi had been favourites after helping Spain win the World Cup last year while Messi had failed to score a goal or produce his best form at the  tournament in South Africa.

But the Argentine star believes the glory of the award should be shared with his teammates in Barcelona and the Argentina national.

“It was just good to be here with my teammates,” said Messi, who looked as surprised as anyone by the result which was announced by Barcelona coach Pep  Guardiola.

“I’d like to share this with my teammates, without whom I would not be here, and with all the Argentines.”

Messi won with 22.65percent of the votes cast, with Iniesta on 17.36percent and Xavi third with 16.48percent.

Inter Milan and Dutch playmaker Wesley Sneijder, who was a controversial omission from the short list, came in fourth with 14.48percent.

“I was surprised but also happy at the same time,” said Messi.

“I am surprised because the prediction was that either Xavi or Iniesta would win.

“I would like to thank those who voted for me but Xavi and Iniesta equally deserved it because they had a great year and a wonderful World Cup.”

Messi, who said that winning a World Cup would mean more to him than the Ballon D’Or, admitted that he desperately wanted to improve his record with  Argentina, with whom he has never won a title.

“In 2011, I want to win my first title with the national side,” he said. “And as a result I asked Father Christmas to give me the present of the Copa America  (which takes place this year in Argentina).

“I am going to do my utmost to win it. It is the gift I want to give to all Argentineans. My compatriots deserve a great year.”

FIFA President Sepp Blatter, who along with FIFA has come under fire already for the decision to award Qatar the 2022 World Cup finals, had trumpeted Messi’s  claims only last week.

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