Offside News

Sports

Fabregas: Messi will win Ballon D’Or

Comment: 0 October 27th, 2011 by: admin

Barcelona FC’s Lionel Messi is on his unobstructed way to claim the Ballon D’Or (translating to “The Golden Ball”) for the third year running.

This is at least as far as his teammate Cesc Fabregas is concerned.

Fabregas’ fearless forecasts are based on an allegedly leaked copy of the partial list of candidates for the award.

The star player, who for the last two years has won the most prestigious individual honour in the sport of football, was named as one amongst a list of individuals considered for the honour.

He is also one of a total of 10 players from Barcelona FC.  The other nine are Daniel Alves, Alexis Sanchez, David Villa, Gerard Pique, Eric Abidal, Carles Puyol, Xavi, Andres Iniesta, and Fabregas.

Despite his name being thrown in the ring, Fabregas attested with full confidence that Messi is the sure winner of the award.

‘I would put my hand in fire that Messi will win the Ballon D’Or,’ the midfielder told reporters.  ‘He is a natural winner and a motivated fighter.  What he has done we won’t see again, he gives everything and scores goals.

Speaking to Spanish nationwide sports newspaper Mundo Deportivo, Fabregas noted that Messi is bound to return to his winning style despite his lack of goals in the squad’s most recent matches.

The most marked incident of Messi’s inability to find the net was during the 0-0 draw with Sevilla that saw him miss the critical penalty kick that could have given Barca the game.

The stalemate was arguably a factor in sending the La Liga behemoths down from first place to third.

Trailing behind first-placers Levante and runners-up Real Madrid, Barca will try to reclaim the prime spot on the table during a match against Mallorca at Camp Nou this Saturday.

‘The great thing about football is that the best players take no time in getting back on their feet,’ Fabregas noted.  ‘On Saturday [Messi] will have another chance to prove that he is the best.’

Fabregas’ inclusion in the list of Barca players up for the award comes despite him being a recent transfer to the team from Arsenal.

‘I don’t know why I am on it if I didn’t even play half a season.’

According to the Spanish newspaper, a total of four other Premier League players have landed on the list.  The players include Wayne Rooney (Manchester United), Robin van Persie (Arsenal), Sergio Aguero (Manchester City), and Luis Suarez (Liverpool).

The information was supposed to have been made available to the public via an announcement of all 50 nominees on November 1.  Afterwards the list will be cut down to a mere three contenders, to be announced on December 5.

The awarding of the winner will take place on January 9, 2012.

More