Tag Archives: Golden Boot

Messi Could Pick Up a Fourth FIFA Ballon d’Or Award

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Lionel Messi has the chance to make soccer history…

The 25-year-old Argentine fútbol star, who just claimed his second Golden Boot award, is among the 23 players in the running for the 2012 FIFA Ballon d’Or award.

Lionel Messi

Should he come out on top, Messi, who made history by claiming the award the last three years in a row, would become the only player to claim the award four times.

But Messi will face stiff competition from several noted players, including Cristiano Ronaldo and Xavi Hernandez, this year’s runners-up for the world’s best player award.

Here’s a look at the nominees:

Real Madrid Players:
Cristiano Ronaldo
Iker Casillas
Mesut Ozil
Karim Benzema
Sergio Ramos
Xabi Alonso

Barcelona Players:
Lionel Messi
Andres Iniesta
Sergio Busquets
Gerard Pique
Xavi Hernandez

Atletico Madrid Player:
Radamel Falcao

Manchester City Players:
Mario Balotelli
Sergio Aguero
Yaya Toure

Manchester United Players:
Wayne Rooney
Robin van Persie

Juventus Players:
Andrea Pirlo
Gianluigi Buffon

Shanghai Shenhua Player:
Didier Drogba

PSG Player:
Zlatan Ibrahimovic

Bayern Munich Player:
Manuel Neuer

Santos Player:
Neymar

The final three candidates will be revealed on November 29 in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

The Ballon d’Or ceremony will take place in Zurich on January 7, 2013, when the player who receives the most votes from coaches and captains of international teams, as well as reporters, will be announced.

Messi Earns His Second European Golden Boot

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Lionel Messi is getting the boot again…

The 25-year-old Argentine striker received his second Golden Boot for being the top scorer in the European national leagues, thanks to his 50 goals last season with Futbol Club Barcelona in Spain’s La Liga.

Lionel Messi

And Messi, who was named the best international athlete at this year’s ESPY Awards, is ready for more accolades.

“My objective is to achieve many more great things,” said Messi, who claimed his third straight Ballon d’Or in January. “I’ve always been that way and I will be that way until the end of my career.”

Messi insisted, however, that what he really cares about are team honors, as he thanked his Barcelona teammates for helping him to a second Golden Boot.

“We fight to win titles. We’re lucky to be doing very well in Liga and in Champions (League), and tomorrow we begin the competition for the Copa del Rey, but I don’t battle for the Golden Boot,” said Messi.

Messi received the award at a gala event in Barcelona, where he was joined by teammates from Barça and the coach of the Argentine national team along with other prominent figures in soccer and sports.

Messi accepted the Golden Boot from former player and coach Luis Suarez, the only Spanish recipient of the Ballon d’Or, FIFA’s prize for World Player of the Year.

Messi, who has never played for another professional club, said his dream is to end his career with FC Barcelona.