FCBARCELONA.CAT

21.12.2009 19:33

From the heat of Kuwait to the cold of Zurich

Sandra Sarmiento (enviada especial) / Anna Segura

A six-hour flight took Messi, Iniesta, Xavi and Alves from the pleasant winter temperatures of Kuwait to the intense cold of Zurich for the FIFA World Player awards. Along the way, all four talked to Barça TV.

On Saturday they were in Abu Dhabi. On Sunday they arrived in Kuwait. This Monday they landed in Zurich. Despite such a punishing schedule, the players all agreed that to be present at the ceremony is a great honour. Xavi told us: “It’s a privilege”.

A change of climate

The four players left Kuwait at 10 am (after being escorted to the airport by the police) when the temperature stood at about 20ºC. A six hour flight then took them to a snow-covered Zurich where the temperature was -1ºC.

Four representatives of an historic Barça

Speaking exclusively to Barça TV, Xavi, Messi, Iniesta and Dani Alves spoke about the ceremony and a fabulous 2009.

Xavi told us: “This is a prize for Barça, for our great year, for all the titles we’ve won. There are four of us but there could be more. The whole team deserves to be here”.

Perseverance

Iniesta, who is in Zurich with his mother, sister and girlfriend, stressed the perseverance shown by the team in difficult matches such as against Chelsea in London, or Estudiantes: “If there’s one thing we’ve had throughout all the matches and the competitions it’s that we tried to score right until the end of each match. In the end this has given results”.

Messi dedicates goal to grandmother

Messi explained that his goal celebration in the match against Estudiantes was directed to his grandmother: “She would have loved to have experienced everything I’m going through. She’s watching from up there”.

He also stressed that he has not yet grown tired of success: “It’s lovely to receive prizes. Our mentality is to carry on in the same way and win many more things”. Messi was also accompanied by members of his family.

More ambition

Leo Messi sat next to his good friend Dani Alves during the flight. The Brazilian has won 6 titles this year with Barça and also the Confederations Cup with Brazil. He was in Zurich as part of FIFA’s best eleven: “We have to maintain the same ambition, to carry on winning. Let’s hope 2010 is as successful as 2009. The fans know what we’ve done but they will want more; they will demand more”.