Lionel Messi named Fifa's World Player of the Year

Lionel Andrés Messi has been named the FIFA World Player of the Year. The Argentina and Barcelona striker won the award for the first time for helping his Spain club win an record six trophies, including the Champions League and the La Liga title.

The 22-year-old beat last year's winner Cristiano Ronaldo, Brazil midfielder Kaka, and his two club mates Andres Iniesta and Xavi Hernandez. He was presented with the trophy at an awards ceremony in Zurich.

Messi said, “I'm really happy. We've just ended a historic year, a perfect year in which we've won every competition we've played in. We just needed to take this last step and everything has worked out how we wanted. It's amazing.”

Lionel Messi was born 24 June 1987 in Rosario, Argentina, to parents Jorge Messi. His paternal family originates from the Italian city of Ancona where his ancestor, Angelo Messi, emigrated to Argentina in 1883.

At the age of 8, Messi played to Newell's Old Boys who were based in Rosario. But at the age of 11, he was diagnosed with a growth hormone deficiency. Primera División club River Plate showed interest in Messi's progress, but did not have enough money to pay for the treatment. The life of Messi changed 180 degrees when Barcelona discovered his talent. The Spanish giant club signed him and paying his medical treatment bills. Then Messi and his family moved to Spain.

Messi signed a new contract with Barcelona On 18 September, running until 2016, making Messi the highest paid players in La Liga with Zlatan Ibrahimovic, his team-mate.

His international debut with Argentine senior national team occured on August 2005 against Hungary at 18 years of age. But the injury has harmed his presence in the World Cup 2006. He witnessed Argentina's opening match victory against Ivory Coast from the substitute's bench. And in the next match against Serbia, Messi became the youngest player to represent Argentina at a World Cup when he replaced Maxi Rodríguez in the second half. He assisted Hernán Crespo's goal and also scored the final goal in the 6–0 victory. It is making him the youngest scorer in the tournament.*

Messi: We will destroy Man Utd

LIONEL MESSI reckons that Manchester United will risk humiliation if they opt to go toe to toe with Barcelona in the Champions League final.

The Barca superstar admits he is after revenge for last year's semi-final defeat by the eventual champions.

Back then, the Catalan giants had almost 70 per cent possession over the two legs. But they could not break down United's defensive wall and Paul Scholes' screamer put Alex Ferguson's men through.

Messi told SunSport: "I don't think Manchester will play like that again. They have players to play football and will be a bit more open.

"We're the best team in Europe in an open game and this will give us the advantage. If they come out to play it will be a beautiful game - and I hope it will benefit us.

"I remember last year's semi-final. They were two evenly-matched games, very tight. The tie was decided by the great goal they scored."

Back on May 2, Barcelona thumped Real Madrid 6-2 at the Bernabeu in La Liga's title sealer.For Messi, that game proved any team, however great, which attacks Barca does so at their peril.

In this season's dramatic Champions League semi-final against the Catalan giants, Chelsea spent practically 180 minutes camped inside their own half with Barcelona frantically trying to find a breakthrough.

Messi added: "The game in Madrid shows why Chelsea did what they did - sit back and try not to leave any spaces for us to play our football.

"For that reason, I say that for us it's an advantage when a team plays football and tries to match Barcelona as equals. Manchester can be that team with the players they have."

Seconds from the final whistle at Stamford Bridge, Messi's European dream looked dead - despite Chelsea having just 29 per cent of the possession in their own backyard. After the goalless first leg at the Nou Camp, Chelsea had stifled Barca once more and Michael Essien's piledriver had given them the lead.

Messi had all but been swallowed up by Jose Bosingwa in the first leg and by John Terry and Ashley Cole in the second.

Yet in the 93rd minute he slid a perfectly weighted pass to Andres Iniesta and the Spain star fired home a spectacular leveller that will forever haunt Chelsea's stars and their fans.

Messi admitted: "You can't describe it or explain it. At that moment, I thought we were done for and wouldn't score, wouldn't get to the final. But Andres scored that goal. Incredible."

He is convinced Chelsea paid the price for just sitting back and defending in both games.

MESSI ... warning

MESSI ... warning

Messi insisted: "The frustration of trying to attack for 180 minutes against a team that only defends is tremendous. But, thankfully, football gives you the chance of having that last shot in the very last instance, a last chance to score. And after having tried to play football, the fact we won in that way with that goal made it more beautiful."

Messi rates last year's semi-final defeat by United as the worst experience of his career.

He had just come back from a knee injury and could not help struggling Barcelona find the net.

This season the little Argentinian has banged in 37 goals and spearheaded Barca's glory charge.

Now, with the Rome final looming tonight, he and his team-mates are desperate to gain revenge on United and snatch their European crown.

They arrive in the Eternal City euphoric after completing their domestic Double and aim to make history by becoming the first Spanish team to do the Treble.

Messi said: "I was very frustrated and angry after last year's semi-final loss to United. I was so sad we couldn't make the final after coming so close.

"But the way we've turned things around this season gives us more desire and hunger to beat them this time. I'm very confident we'll win.

"We have a massive chance to be champions but also know in front of us we have a great team."

Many doubters claim Barca are softies who cannot handle the physical nature of English clubs.

Messi concluded with a huge grin: "We beat Arsenal in the final in Paris in 2006 and this year we beat Chelsea.

"We'll see after the final if those doubts are correct."

Source: The Sun (Antony Kastrinakis)

Ronaldo worry for Utd

Cristiano Ronaldo has provided Manchester United with a late injury scare ahead of the UEFA Champions League final after requiring treatment in training.

The Portuguese winger needed strapping on his ankle during Tuesday evening's training session at the Stadio Olimpico.

Ronaldo, who missed the start of the season after undergoing ankle surgery, is expected to be fit for Wednesday's showpiece in Rome.

The 24-year-old is likely to start up front against Barcelona, with Wayne Rooney and Park Ji-sung tipped to provide support from wide.

Nemanja Vidic was also photographed during the session holding his hamstring, but United have confirmed the Serbian is fit.

Vidic's central defensive partner Rio Ferdinand has also declared himself fit to start the final after a recent absence due to a calf injury.

Source: SkySports.com

Cristiano Ronaldo wins FIFA World Footballer of the Year

ZURICH (AFP) – Manchester United and Portugal star Cristiano Ronaldo was on Monday named FIFA World Footballer of the Year for 2008.

Ronaldo, who is also holder of the prestigious Ballon d'Or for the European Footballer of the Year, beat off competition from 2007 winner Kaka (Brazil), Lionel Messi (Argentina), Fernando Torres (Spain) and Xavi (Spain).

"It's an overwhelming moment in my career and I'd like to dedicate this award to my family, friends and colleagues," he said.

"Winning the Champions League for me was the most memorable moment of 2008," added Ronaldo, who scored in the final but missed a penalty in the penalty shootout against Chelsea.

Ronaldo went out of his way to heap praise on United manager Sir Alex Ferguson, with whom relations became strained during last summer over whether he was going to leave the club for Real Madrid.

"It's also true that the manager always has an important role to play," said Ronaldo.

"It was a great season for me and for my club, and the coach was important for me because I learned a lot from him.

"His experience over so many years is of paramount importance - it's a privilege to have such a great club manager.

"This is the climax of a fantastic era for me. I'm happy and proud about what has been done by my team and what we have won.

"I am lucky to be part of the history of a club like Manchester United."

Portugal manager Carlos Queiroz, who was also with Ronaldo at Manchester United when he was assistant coach to Ferguson, said it was a logical decision.

"Quality and justice were behind this decision," said Queiroz. "This is a great achievement for a player as young (23) as he is and with his career before him.

"I congratulate Cristiano Ronaldo and hope that this award both stimulates and inspires his career."

Ronaldo, scorer of 42 goals in all competitions in the 2007-8 season, was one of United's architects behind the club's English Premiership and Champions League double. It was not a perfectly scripted year for Ronaldo, however, as Portugal crashed out 3-2 to Germany in the quarter-final of Euro 2008 in June.

Ronaldo becomes the second Portuguese player to win the FIFA accolade after Luis Figo in 2001, and the first one playing for a British club.

He reaped 935 points in the vote in which the coaches and captains of 155 national teams took part. Messi finished second (678 points) and was trailed by Torres (203), Kaka (183) and Xavi (155).*

Source: AFP