HOLA!
Can Barcelona's little genius Lionel Messi become the first man to win the World Player of the Year award for the fourth time in a row, after the shortlist for FIFA's Ballon d'Or was revealed yesterday?
The answer is yes. Why not?
Actually, there is nothing much left to write on the 25-year-old's exploits on the pitch week in week out, as La Pulga or The Flea has been providing all the magical moments to entertain the neutrals and Barca fans alike.
It's like a routine to him. He makes it so simple.
Of course, some simply hate Messi (right) for reasons only known to them. But this does not bother the Argentina international captain at all.
On Monday, Messi won the European Golden Shoe award for top scorer in the continent – for the second time. He edged out fellow Primera Liga superstar in Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo, who scored an impressive 46 goals, in comparison to Messi's haul of 50.
Messi took his career tally for club and country to 301 goals last Saturday and, inevitably, he is now among the 23 players named in the list for Ballon d'Or, which also includes Ronaldo, the runner-up to Messi in last year's vote.
Meanwhile, Andres Iniesta of Barca, named the Player of the Tournament after Spain retained their title at Euro 2012, is also included as is Radamel Falcao (left), who has been in brilliant scoring form all year for Colombia and Atletico Madrid, helping his club win the Europa League last season.
Iniesta, for the record, also won the Uefa European Player of the Year Award in August ahead of Messi and Ronaldo. The midfield maestro surely has that chance to surprise for that Ballon d'Or award.
Barca manager Tito Vilanova showered praise on Messi at a news conference on Monday.
"I don't think we'll see a player like him (Messi) again. Not only for the goals he scores but for the ability he has to read the game," he said, before hailing Iniesta (right).
"He (Iniesta) is the clear example of a player trained at the Masia (Barcelona youth academy) who reaches the top. He is another one of those players of a quality that Barca will find it tough to produce again."
Well said.
Vilanova should know what he is talking about as he has been with Messi and Iniesta for a long time now beginning at the youth academy.
El Loco is also impressed with Falcao. Of course, Ronaldo will be up there too.
Oh yes... Dutch legend Ruud Gullit thinks people criticize Ronaldo because they are jealous of him.
Ronaldo (left) often gets a hostile reception at away games, while has also been targeted by a number of opponents throughout his career.
However, Gullit has nothing but praise for the 27-year-old and compared his situation to another former Manchester United superstar.
"I think Cristiano Ronaldo is a phenomenon. The same thing happens to him as it did to David Beckham; people criticize them because they are envious that they’re very good-looking," Gullit told ESPN.
"For me, he's (Ronaldo) the ideal player. He's fast, tall, is good with his head, is technically good, shoots penalties, takes good freekicks and he’s a leader.
"I think that Real Madrid love having Cristiano Ronaldo as a player."
Ronaldo, who has scored 18 goals in 14 matched for Real so far this season, must be pretty happy that a legend like Gullit has backed him.
Will Ronaldo get enough backing for him to win the Ballon d'Or?
Adios!
- mD
