FCBARCELONA.CAT

30.11.2007 17:59

Messi on the FIFA World Player shortlist

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The FC Barcelona striker is, along with Kaka and Cristiano Ronaldo, one of the aspirants for the FIFA World Player 2007 award. The Argentinian is thus rewarded for a wonderful year both with Barça and Argentina.

Barça’s Lionel Messi, Milan striker Kaka and Manchester United’s Cristiano Ronaldo are the three candidates for the FIFA World Player 2007 accolade. The three have arisen from a vote held by the managers and captains of the different national sides. The winner will be announced next December 17 at a gala to be held at the Zurich Opera.

A dream year

Leo Messi has done so much to deserve this recognition. Although he missed the first two months through injury, he made a spectacular return, including a hat trick against none other than Real Madrid. There was then his Maradona-esque goal against Getafe that was just the crowning moment of a terrific end to the 2006/07 season.

In the summer he led Argentina to the Copa America final, and scored some terrific goals in Venezuela, eventually being voted by web users as the best player of the tournament.

This latest season has seen plenty more where that came from. Messi is the top scorer in the Spanish league with 8 goals and also helped his team to first place in their Champions League group.