FCBARCELONA.CAT

01.12.2009 14:35

Messi: “I dedicate this to my family and my team mates”

Jesús Carrillo

A clearly thrilled Leo Messi spoke to the media at the Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper this lunchtime: “I'm very happy with the award and for the margin of the voting. It's a great away to win it”, said the 2009 Ballon d'Or winner.

Leo Messi dedicated his triumph to : “My family, who have always been by my side and my teammates at Barca who've done everything to ensure I could win the award”.

Thanks to Guardiola

Messi also thanked Pep Guardiola: “the boss has also had a lot to do with me winning. All the titles we won were key to me taking this award”. As to third and fourth placed Xavi and Iniesta: “they've given everything for Barca and they deserve their recognition. If I'd had a vote I would have voted for any of the Barca players”.

First Argentinean and first from La Masia

Not only is he the first Argentinean to win the title, Messi is also the first player from the club's academy to take the award: “being the first from the Masia should give a boost to the club's football project – it's very important for the club and everyone who's working with the younger players. Being the first from my country, well, if the same rules as apply now had been used in the past, I'm sure Maradona would have won, but I am happy to be the first Argentinean to win this award”.

Unimaginable

At just 22, it's all come very quickly for Messi, who confessed: “I couldn't have imagined everything I'm experiencing, on an individual level and also with Barca. Receiving this award won't change me though, I'll still be the same Leo Messi and I'll continue fighting to win more titles for the club, That will be key if I want to repeat what's happened next season”.