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Barcelona's Lionel Messi: I Voted For Xavi, Andres Iniesta And Kun Aguero In Fifa Ballon D'Or
The three-time winner stuck to players from his club and nation when voting and set his sights on winning the World Cup in 2014
10-Jan-2012 7:20:00 PM
By Daniel Edwards
Getty
Lionel Messi revealed that he stayed faithful to his Barcelona and Argentina team-mates when it came to casting his own votes for the 2011 Fifa Ballon d'Or.
The 24-year-old lifted his third consecutive Player of the Year award on Monday evening, equalling the record of Michel Platini.
And speaking to Ole after the ceremony, the Argentine maestro revealed his choices for the prestigious prize.
"Xavi, [Andres] Iniesta and el Kun [Aguero]. Three incredible players," he stated.
Asked what this accolade meant for the Argentine people, Messi hoped that the country's football public would be honoured by his achievements.
"I am enjoying the fact that today my nation feels proud of me, prouder than they ever have before. It is something brilliant, they are showing me that [pride] and I appreciate it.
"[I feel this] in the prizes I have received and the recognition from both my country and my home city. But more than anything is the love of the people. I noticed it in the short time I was in Buenos Aires and Rosario, walking in the street, whenever a young boy came up to me. I feel loved."
Asked about the future, the Barcelona star admitted that there was one prize he was still desperate to win before his career came to an end.
"Winning a World Cup is the only dream that I still have to turn into reality. It would be spectacular. But we have to keep working because we still have far to go," he confessed.
Messi's Barcelona won the Primera Division, Supercopa, Champions League, European Super Cup and Club World Cup in 2011.
The 24-year-old lifted his third consecutive Player of the Year award on Monday evening, equalling the record of Michel Platini.
And speaking to Ole after the ceremony, the Argentine maestro revealed his choices for the prestigious prize.
"Xavi, [Andres] Iniesta and el Kun [Aguero]. Three incredible players," he stated.
Asked what this accolade meant for the Argentine people, Messi hoped that the country's football public would be honoured by his achievements.
"I am enjoying the fact that today my nation feels proud of me, prouder than they ever have before. It is something brilliant, they are showing me that [pride] and I appreciate it.
"[I feel this] in the prizes I have received and the recognition from both my country and my home city. But more than anything is the love of the people. I noticed it in the short time I was in Buenos Aires and Rosario, walking in the street, whenever a young boy came up to me. I feel loved."
Asked about the future, the Barcelona star admitted that there was one prize he was still desperate to win before his career came to an end.
"Winning a World Cup is the only dream that I still have to turn into reality. It would be spectacular. But we have to keep working because we still have far to go," he confessed.
Messi's Barcelona won the Primera Division, Supercopa, Champions League, European Super Cup and Club World Cup in 2011.
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