Lionel Messi believes that FC Barcelona can win their last three games before Christmas against Deportivo La Coruña, Valencia and Real Madrid as he hopes to end the year on a high note.
Talking after training on Friday, the young Argentinian international spelt out his ambition for
the remaining matches of 2007 and also reflected on the praise that he has been receiving after
some impressive display for the club this term. Messi's words gave an insight into the ambition and
optimism of the player and his desire to continue growing.
Added experience
After the draw with RCD Espanyol last weekend, Blaugrana boss Frank
Rijkaard said that "Messi is incredible at dominating the ball, he is spectacular, but with a
little more experience we could have won the game". The player himself was asked about those
comments this week and he agreed. "I am only 20 and I still lack experience and have only played a
handful of games in the first division."
The forward is determined to continue to improve as he added: "If there is something that I
do not do well, then the coach will let me know so that I can improve on it."
With Eto'o and Ronaldinho
In the penultimate training session before the Depor game, the trio of
Messi, Samuel Eto'o and Ronaldinho was back in eivdence, after the Cameroonian striker returned
from his injury lay-off. Messi said that he was "happy" to see the three of them playing together
again and he believes that recovering all the injured players is very important.
Nine out of nine
Looking ahead to the final three games of the year, Messi is confident that Barça can take
nine points from them. "Our objective is to win all three games," he said. "But we have to go
but-by-bit and the first one we should be focussing on is the Depor match."
Ronaldinho doing well
Asked about Ronaldinho, who has been named on the bench for the last two matches, Messi
explained that his teammate "is calm and doing well, he is working hard to return".
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FIFA World Player of the Year
Lionel Messi is one of the three finalists for the FIFA World Player of the year award, but he
admits that he is "not thinking about that at all". Despite that, he did admit that "I am happy and
whatever happens will be fine".