FCBARCELONA.CAT

17.12.2007 21:05

Messi, second best player in the world

David Puig

Leo Messi was named the second best player in the world at the FIFA World Player 2007 Gala held in Zurich. The winner was Milan’s Kaká, while Manchester United striker Cristiano Ronaldo came third.

Leo Messi is the second best player in the world according to the managers and captains of every national team in the world. The Barça star received his award at the FIFA World Player 2007 Gala.

Messi: "I never dreamt I’d get here”

Leo Messi spoke to the media immediately after collecting the accolade in Zurich. He said he found it hard to believe he was up there alongside the likes of Kaká and Cristiano Ronaldo: “I could never have imagined it. I am no dreamer, I just try to get better every day and that makes up for the bad moments, the injuries and all the sacrifices I have made in order to become a first division player”.

He also spoke about the sad way in which he will miss the clásico with Real Madrid, saying that “logically it was bad news. It is one of the most important games of the season, especially given the two teams’ position and a clásico always attracts the fans. But I hope I have a lot more clásicos ahead of me and now I just have to think about getting fit again as quickly as possible.”

Speaking to the Barça Noticias programme on Barça TV, Messi said this award will help him get over the pain of being sidelined for 4 to 5 weeks. He was given permission by the Medical Services to travel to Zurich after taking a series of tests in the morning.

Emotional day

Leo Messi had an emotional day, being taken by his father to Barcelona airport, where he was met by his brother Rodrigo. They flew to Zurich at 2.00, arriving around 4.00 and were met by an official FIFA car to take them to the Opera Theatre, where he and Kaká and Cristiano Ronaldo spoke to the media, before being taken to a hotel to change out of his sports gear and put on an elegant dark suit with a blue tie. Shortly after 8.00 pm, he returned to the Opera Theatre to take part in the FIFA World Player Gala 2007 and learn that he had been voted the second best player of 2007.