• Tweet

GOLDEN BOY: Lionel Messi of Barcelona fights for the ball during the La Liga game between Real Valladolid and FC Barcelona. Photo: Getty Images

RELATED ARTICLES

• Taxman aims at Argentine football player transfers

The 25-year-old is the overwhelming favourite to see off the challenge of Barcelona teammate Andres Iniesta and great Real Madrid rival Cristiano Ronaldo for the prize.

It will crown another landmark year for the Argentine who is the top scorer in La Liga this season with 25 goals having also broken Gerd Mueller's 40-year record for the most goals in a calendar year.

He finished 2012 with an astonishing 91 goals in all competitions.

But Messi has insisted that his scoring records will mean nothing if Barcelona do not go on to take La Liga title off Real or fail to win the Champions League.

"It's nice to beat records but the win for the team is what is important. My goals are to win titles with the team, the Spanish league, Spanish Cup or Champions League is more important than any personal records."

He remains just as modest when it comes to today's awards in Zurich.

"If Iniesta wins, it will be well-deserved for all that he has done, for the way he plays. Again, it will also be a prize for the dressing room."

Messi and former French star, Uefa president Michel Platini, are the only players to win three straight Ballon d'Or awards.

Barca coach Tito Vilanova has no doubt that Messi will be a deserving winner.

"Leo's great quality is that he plays as if he still a child," said Vilanova.

Portugal captain Ronaldo admits he would love to win but it would not be the end of the world if the prize went elsewhere.

"If I win, perfect. If I don't, never mind, life goes on. But obviously I'd love to win. I'm not going to lie or be hypocritical," said the 2008 Ballon d'Or winner added.

Comments

• Sign in or sign up to comment

Fri May 24 20:57:29 SAST 2013 ::

Jan 7, 2013

TupacAmaru!

Messi is what Tupac was to rap music.

Maybe being handicapped gives him more advantage over other players. This issue must be looked into.
Report Abuse

Jan 7, 2013

Ponko.Fontoyo

Messi is as good as Ronaldo Christiano.
Report Abuse

Jan 7, 2013

NICEBOOBS

HAIL MESSI HAIL
Report Abuse

Jan 7, 2013

oneJay

WOW HE's winning it again.."Kevin Hart's Voice"
Report Abuse

Jan 7, 2013

oneJay

damn messi hes the best playa of all time though i still think if Ronaldinho was still palying for a biggest European team would be a different challange compared to this low comparism of Christiano Ronaldo with Mr MESSI
Report Abuse

Jan 7, 2013

MSUNA

i said it before i am saying it again Ronaldo is the best until Messi relocate and play at another big league and break records like now.. Ronaldo played in three top flight leagues and he did well in all of them ... messi is the best becuase of spain thats how it is its spain featuring Messi let him move n see if he does that
Report Abuse

Jan 7, 2013

Dzel

Ponko.Fontoyo

Messi is as good as Ronaldo Christiano.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Comparing the two is like comparing a Beetle (Ronaldo) to a top of the range Porsche (Messi). Both are designed by Ferdinand Porsche, they look relatively similar in concept but they definitely are not the same where it matters. Ronaldo scores goals I agree but there is a poise about Messi, style, he strokes the ball when Ronaldo fights with the ball. Messi has grace, Ronaldo doesn't.

If you think the two are comparable then you don't know football.

Report Abuse

Jan 7, 2013

oneJay

LMAO TO THE ABOVE COMMENT
Report Abuse

Jan 7, 2013

Ponko.Fontoyo

Dzel
Don't say I don't know football just because Messi is not my favourite.Ronald can play any position given to him from midlefield to striker while Messi cannot do that.
Report Abuse

Jan 7, 2013

MSUNA

@Dzel
do you think he can do what he does out of Barca
Report Abuse

Read all 53 comments