Messi Wins Ballon d’Or, Mourinho Coach Of The Year
Messi wins his second Ballon d'Or
Andres Iniesta must be very sad at this moment. His team-mate Lionel Messi has just been elected the best player of the year for the second time in a row. The 23-year-old Argentine won the Ballon d’Or on Monday afternoon after a very tough contest which also included Xabi Hernandez and Andres Iniesta.
Although the many saw Iniesta as the main favorite for the Ballon d’Or, the playmaker, who brought the Spaniards the first World Cup, lost the tight race in front of the Argentinean quarter-finalist. Over the last few years, Messi has led both Argentina and FC Barcelona to the biggest international competitions, including the World Cup tournament and the UEFA Champions League. The Spanish league title and the Spanish Supercup are two of the most recent trophies the Argentine won with Barca. Presently, he sits second in the Primera top-scorers’ table with 18 goals.
Said the winner: “Thanks so much for this applause. To be honest, I didn’t expect to win today, but it was already great to be here next to my two mates. To win it makes it even more special. I want to share with all of my mates, my family, all the Barcelonistas and the Argentinians.”
Messi’s showcase includes two UCL trophies with the Catalans, four Spanish league titles, four Spanish Supercups, one Copa del Rey, but also one UEFA Super Cup and one FIFA Club World Cup. The Argentine joined FC Barcelona at the early age of 13 and started his senior career in 2004. Messi scored 106 goals in 159 appearances. Concerning his international career, the midfielder played 53 times for his national team and scored 15 goals.
Jose Mourinho named Coach of the Year
The Portuguese manager won the award as result of his second UEFA Champions League trophy and the Italian league title and Super Cup. Two times winner of the most important club competition in the world, Jose Mourinho competed successfully for this award: the shortlist included Spain’s coach Vicente del Bosque, who also brought the Spaniards their first World Cup in history, and FC Barcelona’s boss Pep Guardiola.
Said Mourinho: “I would like to congratulate two marvelous coaches: Vicente del Bosque and Pep Guardiola. I’ve worked very hard to reach this far, but I haven’t done it on my own.” This is his first FIFA Ballon d’Or. Mourinho left Inter Milano last summer to join the Spanish champions Real Madrid. He is expected now to win his third UEFA Champions League trophy with his third different team.
Other awards
FIFA Fair Play Award – Carribean Nation
FIFA World Coach of the Year For Women’s Football – Silvia Neid (Germany)
FIFA Presidential Award – Archbishop Desmond Tutu (South Africa)
FIFA Puskas Award (the best goal of the year) – Hamit Altintop (Turkey)
