10.12.2009 12:15
The year of Lionel Messi
Sandra Sarmiento
For FC Barcelona and Lionel Messi 2009 will be an unforgettable year as the team completed a unique treble of trophies and the player was seen as the best in the world. Revista Barça spoke to the Argentinian forward about the last 12 months.
In an extensive interview Messi gave his thoughts on his rise to
prominence from a star with incredible potential to a fully fledged match-winner as he helped Barça
to win the domestic title and Copa del Rey as well as the Champions League in the same season,
before starting the current campaign by lifting the Spanish and European Super Cups.
Flattering praise
In the poll for France Football's coveted Ballon d'Or Messi received 90 of the 96
votes. "It is flattering to hear that because there are some other great players around, but it is
also incredible," he explained. "Since I was young I have dreamt about winning these awards. When I
then reached the Barça first team I did not give them as much importance. But it is like a dream
come true now for me and for my father because of everything that we have been through together."
Getafe stunner
Looking back at his career Messi revealed that his best goal came against Getafe in
the Copa del Rey when he ran with the ball from the halfway line. "Because of the move, the way it
happened and the way it evolved it was very special," he explained. Other games that stick out are
the Joan Gamper performance against Juventus and his hat-trick against Real Madrid. "Above all
because of the reaction of the supporters," he added.
Headed goals
The Champions League win in Rome in 2009 will be remembered because of
Messi's fine headed goal. "A few years ago, when the squad played tennis with a football, Ángel Mur
always said that nobody knew about that strength of mine," the forward continued. "I had never had
the luck of scoring a header before, but that day I did and it was perfect." Admitting that players
never stop learning, Messi stated: "I would like to learn how to take free-kicks."
Rijkaard and Guardiola
Messi then spoke about Frank Rijkaard and the debt that he feels towards the Dutch coach for
giving him his first-team chance. "He gave me a lot of confidence," he explained. "That was
fundamental for me. There were games when he did not start me and I was annoyed, but I now know
that was best for me. I want to thank him a great deal for everything that he did for my career."
Under Pep Guardiola now Messi feels he has matured even more. "It is important how you feel both on
the pitch and off it and he is someone that looks at the human side of things," he added.
No coaching
Having penned a new contract extension until 2016 recently Messi
explained that he has no intention of leaving Camp Nou. "I would never go because I have everything
here," he explained. "I play for the biggest club in the world and live in a marvellous city. Why
would I change? I will change the way I have always done things." Messi then stated that he will
walk away from football when he stops playing. "I do not like to watch football on television," he
said. "I do not like seeing games I have played in or anything else. When I finish playing I think
I will do something else. I like to play but not to watch it. I do not want to be a coach either."