Lionel Messi‘s exploits with Barcelona won him the World Player of the Year award for an extraordinary third year in a row on Monday at the age of 24. The Argentine swept home with 47.88 percent of the votes in the survey among national team coaches, captains and selected media, getting the trophy from former Brazil striker Ronaldo, himself a three-times winner of the award though not successively. Although FIFA scheduled only the players’ nationality when they published the full results, it was clearly Messi‘s stunning performances for Barcelona which earned him the plaudits.
Messi, followed by Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo and Barcelona team mate Xavi in the poll, was last season’s top scorer in the Champions League with 12 goals in Barca’s successful campaign and net 31 times as they won La Liga. Messi of Argentina, FIFA World Player of the Year holds his FIFA Ballon d'Or 2011 trophy next to singer Shakira during the FIFA Ballon d'Or 2011 football awards ceremony in Zurich. By contrast, he was severely criticized after Argentina, hosting the Copa America, went out in the quarter-finals to Uruguay in July.
Meanwhile, Uruguay’s exploits in winning the Copa America failed to earn them a proposal in the coach and players’ shortlists, or even a mention in the team of the year. Uruguay coach Oscar Washington Tabarez was fifth in the coach of the year poll, won by Barcelona’s Pep Guardiola. Manchester United’s Alex Ferguson was second and Real Madrid’s Jose Mourinho third. Former France skipper Michel Platini said afterwards Messi would still have to shine for Argentina before he could be measured among the greats.
Boxing Gloves, Cheap Shot Put
Messi, followed by Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo and Barcelona team mate Xavi in the poll, was last season’s top scorer in the Champions League with 12 goals in Barca’s successful campaign and net 31 times as they won La Liga. Messi of Argentina, FIFA World Player of the Year holds his FIFA Ballon d'Or 2011 trophy next to singer Shakira during the FIFA Ballon d'Or 2011 football awards ceremony in Zurich. By contrast, he was severely criticized after Argentina, hosting the Copa America, went out in the quarter-finals to Uruguay in July.
Meanwhile, Uruguay’s exploits in winning the Copa America failed to earn them a proposal in the coach and players’ shortlists, or even a mention in the team of the year. Uruguay coach Oscar Washington Tabarez was fifth in the coach of the year poll, won by Barcelona’s Pep Guardiola. Manchester United’s Alex Ferguson was second and Real Madrid’s Jose Mourinho third. Former France skipper Michel Platini said afterwards Messi would still have to shine for Argentina before he could be measured among the greats.
Boxing Gloves, Cheap Shot Put
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