To Become The Best Player In The World: You Need The Help Of Your Teammates:

Like Lionel Messi Needs His Barcelona Teammates:



"I believe that I was able to enjoy a great season thanks to the work of my team-mates.

"They helped me to play better, and encouraged me to defend further up the pitch. This is why I have scored a lot of goals." (Source)

To Become The Best Player In The World: You Need Good Coaching:

Like Lionel Messi Needs Pep Guardiola:




"I did not know him (Barcelona manager Pep Guardiola) before the beginning of the season.

"I knew he was doing good work with the youth team, but it is a different thing to succeed with the first squad.

"The truth is that I was pleasantly surprised by his ideals, and the calm nature of his daily interactions with us.

"He is a great coach." (Source)

When You Are The Best Player In The World: You Need To Be Humble And Keep Working Hard:

Like Lionel Messi:

"I do not think of myself as the best in the world.

"My objective is to improve every day. If they say I am the best player in the world, that will be great.

"If that happens, I will work each day to continue being the best." (Source)

When You Are The Best Player In The World: You Get To Celebrate On Double-Decker Buses:

Like Lionel Messi:

He Is Cristiano Ronaldo And He USED To Be The Best Player In The World:

How The Mighty Have Fallen: Former Best Player In The World, Cristiano Ronaldo, To Become Real Madrid's Next Beckham:

“When Beckham arrived,” said Perez, “our sponsors significantly raised their payments to us and we rescued the finances of the club. What happened in the last few years is that the club did not reinvest in the type of players to continue with that model. I want to put that right.” (Source)

Mascherano Says FIFA Must Name Messi The Best Player In The World:

"FIFA doesn't have any excuse now for (not) naming Messi as the best player in the world.

"He is going to win the golden ball. He showed his capacity to keep on fighting and, after what he did against Manchester United, he showed that he is the best." (Source)

How To Become The Best Player In The World: Celebrate AFTER You Win The Big Trophy: Like Lionel Messi:

Some great players have been known to celebrate life and drink too much before achieving their goals on the pitch.

But Lionel Messi waited until he won the big one, the Champions League, before letting loose.

We hope that Messi will soon return to the training ground and resume celebrating the ball and the beautiful game of football.

Robinho Fails To Become Best Player In The World And Wants To Return To Brazil:

Earlier in the year he claimed that he left Real Madrid for Manchester City in order to more readily become the Best Player In The World and now he wants to leave City for Santos?

That's what the president of Santos, Marcelo Teixeira, said Friday:

"He expressed an interest in this respect, because of his dissatisfaction at the English club," Teixeira told reporters. "But, financially, it's very difficult to compete with the European clubs today." (Source)

Here is where Robinho sits in the bestplayerintheworld.com poll as of 8:00 am Sunday May 31, 2009:

Lionel Messi 45% (633 votes)
Cristiano Ronaldo 23% (333 votes)
Steven Gerrard 8% (107 votes)
Fernando Torres 3% (49 votes)
Andres Iniesta 3% (40 votes)
Zlatan Ibrahimovic 2% (35 votes)
Kaka 2% (33 votes)
Wayne Rooney 2% (24 votes)
Ronaldinho 1% (21 votes)
Frank Lampard 1% (21 votes)
Andrei Arshavin 1% (17 votes)
Nemanja Vidic 1% (14 votes)
Didier Drogba 1% (11 votes)
Franck Ribery 1% (9 votes)
Arjen Robben 1% (8 votes)
Cesc Fabregas 1% (9 votes)
Emmanuel Adebayor <1% (5 votes)
David Villa <1% (5 votes)
Sergio (Kun) Aguero <1% (4 votes)
Xavi Hernandez <1% (6 votes)
Samuel Eto'o <1% (6 votes)
Robinho <1% (5 votes)
Gianluigi Buffon <1% (5 votes)
Petr Cech <1% (6 votes)
Iker Casillas <1% (5 votes)
Luka Modric <1% (5 votes)
Ashley Young <1%>

Total Votes: 1418

If he goes to Brazil is their any chance that he will become the Best Player In The World any time soon?

Sing It With Us: "El Zurdito": A Song About The Best Player In The World

From Independent.ie:

"YOU know you've made it in life when someone writes a song about you. And we don't just mean a witty terrace chant, we're talking about getting a guitar out, going into the studio and pressing the record button, or whatever they do these days.

Step forward latin singer Ariel Prat, an Argentinian who has penned a little tune in honour of the world's greatest footballer, Cristiano Rona...sorry, Lionel Messi.

Prat has written a song called 'El Zurdito,' which translated means 'The little left foot.' Prat has included 'El Zurdito' on his new album 'Negro y Murguero.'

And having heard a blast of it, we have to say it's far better than the usual footballer-related rubbish.

But Prat has more of a right than most to be singing of great footballers. According to his website, he played in the same Argentinos Juniors team as one Diego Maradona. Naturally, 'El Zurdito' is also dedicated to the Hand of God himself."

Messi Urges Barcelona To Buy 6th Best Player In The World: Zlatan Ibrahimovic:

"European champs Barcelona are planning a major bid for Inter Milan striker Ibrahimovic.

Corriere dello Sport says Barca star Lionel Messi has urged president Joan Laporta to bring the Swede to the Nou Camp.

And Laporta is ready to meet Messi's request by offering £17 million cash plus Samuel Eto'o in exchange for Ibra." (Source)

Such a move, if it ever materialized would give Barca 3 of the top 6 Best Players In The World and immediately turn the team into Spain's next Galacticos at a time when Florentino Perez is attempting to do the same with Real Madrid.

Such a move would also give Barca another Nike Athlete - not that marketing matters for anything in football...

Here are the current Best Players In The World as of 6:00 pm Eastern Standard Time on Saturday May 30, 2009:

Lionel Messi 44% (615 votes)
Cristiano Ronaldo 24% (331 votes)
Steven Gerrard 8% (107 votes)
Fernando Torres 3% (46 votes)
Andres Iniesta 3% (39 votes)
Zlatan Ibrahimovic 2% (34 votes)
Kaka 2% (33 votes)
Wayne Rooney 2% (24 votes)
Ronaldinho 2% (21 votes)
Frank Lampard 1% (20 votes)
Andrei Arshavin 1% (17 votes)
Nemanja Vidic 1% (14 votes)
Didier Drogba 1% (11 votes)
Franck Ribery 1% (9 votes)
Arjen Robben 1% (8 votes)
Cesc Fabregas 1% (9 votes)
Emmanuel Adebayor <1% (5 votes)
David Villa <1% (5 votes)
Sergio (Kun) Aguero <1% (4 votes)
Xavi Hernandez <1% (5 votes)
Samuel Eto'o <1% (6 votes)
Robinho <1% (5 votes)
Gianluigi Buffon <1% (5 votes)
Petr Cech <1% (6 votes)
Iker Casillas <1% (5 votes)
Luka Modric <1% (5 votes)
Ashley Young <1% (2 votes)

Total Votes: 1391

14th Best Player In The World, Franck Ribery, In Bayern's Shop Window For 100 Million Euros

Bayern Munich General Manager Uli Hoeness:

"If I hear that there was an offer for 125 million euros for Kaka, then Ribery has a market value of at least 100 million,'' Hoeness told the Bild newspaper. "But I don't want to talk about a fee we would consider because we want to keep hold of Franck.'' (Source)

Our Poll As of 12:00 pm Eastern Standard Time Saturday May 30, 2009:

Lionel Messi 44% (612 votes)
Cristiano Ronaldo 24% (327 votes)
Steven Gerrard 8% (106 votes)
Fernando Torres 3% (45 votes)
Andres Iniesta 3% (38 votes)
Zlatan Ibrahimovic 2% (34 votes)
Kaka 2% (33 votes)
Wayne Rooney 2% (24 votes)
Ronaldinho 2% (21 votes)
Frank Lampard 1% (19 votes)
Andrei Arshavin 1% (17 votes)
Nemanja Vidic 1% (14 votes)
Didier Drogba 1% (10 votes)
Franck Ribery 1% (9 votes)
Arjen Robben 1% (8 votes)
Cesc Fabregas 1% (9 votes)
Emmanuel Adebayor <1% (5 votes)
David Villa <1% (5 votes)
Sergio (Kun) Aguero <1% (4 votes)
Xavi Hernandez <1% (5 votes)
Samuel Eto'o <1% (6 votes)
Robinho <1% (5 votes)
Gianluigi Buffon <1% (5 votes)
Petr Cech <1% (6 votes)
Iker Casillas <1% (5 votes)
Luka Modric <1% (5 votes)
Ashley Young <1% (2 votes)

Total Votes: 1379

PollDaddy.com

Bayern Butcher Shop: Will Sell One Leg Of Ribery For 50 Million Euros Or The Whole Cow For 100 Million:

Chelsea were reported to be considering making an offer in the region of 50 million euros, but Hoeness insists he would only listen to an offer of double that much, claiming yesterday that you could "get one of his legs at best'' for such a sum.

"If I hear that there was an offer for 125 million euros for Kaka, then Ribery has a market value of at least 100 million,'' Hoeness told the Bild newspaper. "But I don't want to talk about a fee we would consider because we want to keep hold of Franck.'' (Source)

Nike Accuses Adidas Headquarters Of Remotely Detonating Messi's Shoe To Fall Off Immediately After Champions League Goal:

Adidas Senior Vice-President of Public Relations, Jurgen Sparksmann, today denied competitor's allegations that the company had the technology to remotely detonate the new Spark football shoe from its Herzogenaurach, Germany Global Headquarters:

"This is absurd. Our competitors are simply envious of our marketing serendipity. To say that we would in any way tamper with a UEFA controlled marketing...I mean sporting event, is scandalous. Now, on the other hand, we are happy to report that Lionel Messi, who currently leads all players in voting at bestplayerintheworld.com, believes himself - himself! - that he couldn't have scored that headed goal without that extra spark. I mean look at the little Argie, he's barely 5 feet tall. Don't get me wrong, he's a great player, in fact the best player in the world but he is very, very, very short. We designed those shoes not only to make him faster and more nimble but also to increase his vertical jump. There is secret technology built "into" the shoe. But we categorically deny that we remotely detonated a shoe used in a match in Italy, from our German headquarters. Thank you for your time. Good day..."

Bestplayerintheworld.com: Messi Has Shoe Fettish:

Best Player In The World kisses new Adidas Spark boots after scoring second goal in Champions League Final.

Xavi Hernandez: The Forgotten Man of FC Barcelona. Vote For Him At Bestplayerintheworld.com:

Lionel Messi's brilliant but awkward, looping header will be played over and over again in years to come - and fair enough - but would that goal have been possible without that equally brilliant cross from midfield maestro Xavi Hernandez?

We don't think so.

But Xavi's brilliance is getting lost in the shuffle. Sure, it is clear that Lionel Messi is now the best player in the world, but should Xavi really be behind Cesc Fabregas in our poll, when Fabregas's team didn't make it to the Champions League Final and Fabregas himself is second choice to Xavi in the Spanish team that reigns as European champion?

Iniesta Moves Into Fifth Spot In Bestplayerintheworld.com Poll

Days after the Champions League Final in Rome, the fans of the world continue keep Andres Iniesta on the radar and vote for him.

The Barca player who scored the match winning semi-final goal at Stamford Bridge and who was called the best player in the world by Wayne Rooney after his performance in Rome, has now moved into fifth spot in our bestplayerintheworld.com rankings.

If FIFA were using our poll, Iniesta would be one of the five finalists invited to their World Player ceremonies in January 2010. But of course FIFA doesn't survey the fans, they survey the world's managers and captains.

Besides, even in our poll, there is a long way to go before we close the voting in December and finally declare the best player in the world for 2009.

President Perez Explains How He Could Bring The Best Player In The World, Lionel Messi, To Madrid:

"The whole world would like to have him in their team," said Perez. "He's one of the big names in football.

"In Spain the buyout clause is in the contract to satisfy everyone. It's there to do a job.

"At this point I have not spoken to any player from Barca or any other team. But we could reach an agreement with Barca or pay the clause. A player can move to Barca or Real Madrid. But we have not spoken to any player of Barcelona." (Source)

Robinho Says That Messi Proved He Is The Best Player In The World:

“Messi proved without a doubt he’s the best.” (Source)

Former Best Player In The World Cristiano Ronaldo Leaves United For National Team:

Is it so bad with United or is he so desparate to join Real Madrid?

After the Champions League loss in Rome, Ronaldo made it sound as if the club that currently pays his wages did not even exist:

‘My future for now is the national team. I don’t want to talk about clubs, I want to rest, to go on holidays, because I’m very tired. I’ve played many games under a lot of pressure. The future… we’ll see.’ (Source)

It's absurd really. But that's pro sports these days. High stakes, high pressure; powerful people, big bucks, pushing against each other.

Ronaldo has wanted to go, United steadfastly prevented him. And now you have this: Ronaldo not wanting to talk about "clubs". The club with which he won last season's Champions League doesn't exist for him.

I'd be interested to see if the Portugese national team could give Ronaldo as much fame, money and trophies as his club has.

Coach Guardiola Says It In Spanish: Messi Is The Best Player In The World:

Vote at mejorjugadordelmundo.com

Unbelievable: ESPN's Phil Holland Says That Ronaldo Is Still The Best Player In The World. Vote Now At Bestplayerintheworld.com:

"But did Messi do enough to wrest the crown from Ronaldo's head? Messi undoubtedly had the better game but Ronaldo exuded the same menace when on the ball and had Carrick not Xavi bossed the midfield it could have been a different result.

"Despite being a loser in Rome, Ronaldo still has the edge, for now at least. But that could all change when the official World Player of the Year votes are counted next January." (Source)

Is There A Problem With Fan Polling When Xavi Hernandez Doesn't Get Votes?

Xavi Hernandez was one of five finalists for FIFA's 2008 World Player of the Year and yesterday was named Man of the Match for his performance in the 2009 Champions League final.

Yesterday he "completed 80 passes and gave the ball away just five times" (Source) and was the player who delivered the cross which Lionel Messi headed into the net for Barca's second goal.

He gets plenty of respect from football insiders but he clearly doesn't have much pull with the fans.

At Bestplayerintheworld.com, Xavi has earned a total of two votes to Messi's 550+ votes so far this year.

Why is this?

How can we get fans to see what football people see?

That Xavi is possibly the best player in the world?

Iniesta Soars To 7th Place in Bestplayerintheworld.com Poll After Rome Performance

Wayne Rooney has come out spoken his piece - "...I think Iniesta is the best player in the world at the moment." (Source) - but the fans of the world seem to agree: Andres Iniesta is being given serious consideration as Best Player In The World.

Over the course of 24 hours Iniesta has doubled his votes and moved from 11th to 7th spot on the Best Player Board.

Moreover, he has now earned the fourth most Media Mentions for "best player in the world", behind only Messi, Ronaldo and Gerrard.

After Rome: Rooney Calls Iniesta The Best Player In The World

"They are a brilliant team and I think Iniesta is the best player in the world at the moment." (Source)

Messi Comes Out Of Rome Final With 44% of Worldwide Fan Voting at Bestplayerintheworld.com

It's only one percentage point, but the fans of the world responded at bestplayerintheworld.com to Barcelona's Champions League win and Lionel Messi's second-half goal, by cementing Messi as 2009's Best Player In The World.

Overnight Messi added 43 votes to his total, while Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo still managed to add 13 votes despite his side losing and the player not scoring or making an impact on football's biggest stage in Rome.

While there is still a half year to go, Ronaldo would have to do something extra special and Messi would have to fall off the map, for the Best Player In The World title to change.

Messi also leads the way by a much larger margin in our "Media Mentions" category, having been called the "best player in the world" by various managers, players and media figures, 53 times to Ronaldo's 19. These figure would then to some extent predict Messi winning both the Ballon d'Or (voted by journalists) and the FIFA World Player of the Year (voted by managers and captains) for 2009.

Here are the poll results as of 7:00 AM Eastern Standard Time, Thursday May 28th, 2009:


Lionel Messi 44% (548 votes)

Cristiano Ronaldo 24% (302 votes)

Steven Gerrard 8% (103 votes)
Fernando Torres 3% (42 votes)
Zlatan Ibrahimovic 3% (33 votes)
Kaka 2% (28 votes)
Andres Iniesta 2% (27 votes)
Wayne Rooney 2% (24 votes)
Ronaldinho 2% (19 votes)
Frank Lampard 1% (17 votes)
Andrei Arshavin 1% (16 votes)
Nemanja Vidic 1% (13 votes)
Didier Drogba 1% (9 votes)
Cesc Fabregas 1% (8 votes)
Franck Ribery 1% (8 votes)
Arjen Robben 1% (8 votes)

Total Votes: 1248

Source: PollDaddy.com

How To Become The Best Player In The World: Do Something Extra On Your Own:

Like Cristiano Ronaldo:



Sir Alex Ferguson:

"There are some players, such as Kaka, Messi and Ronaldo who are innately gifted," said the 67-year-old Scot. "But this is not enough, and there is a practice element which becomes very important. If you watch Cristiano Ronaldo, he practises after every squad training session, and quite a few others do the same.

"As a coach, we dedicate parts of the training to improving touch, movement, passing and speed of play, but the special quality, the detail, depends on the player being willing to sacrifice himself after training - this is a hallmark of the great players. If the big talents only rely on their natural ability, they won't have that extra edge. They must do something extra on their own." (Source)

How To Become The Best Player In The World: Grow Up Working-Class:

Like Messi:



"In Rosario’s Zona Sur, a, working-class neighborhood, the Messi family lived barely a mile from the Paraná River, which irrigates Argentina’s breadbasket, the region northwest of Buenos Aires known at the Pampa Gringa. It is fertile ground for soccer players, producing stars such as the prolific striker Gabriel Batistuta, and Liverpool’s midfield dynamo Javier Mascherano." (Source)

Desailly Wants The World To Forget About Messi And Ronaldo And Focus On Others:

"They're top players but neither of them are bigger than their own team" he added.

"They are two elements that can make the difference, but at this level you don't really have one player who can be decisive, [you win] collectively. It will be very difficult for those two because they're under a lot of pressure.

"Let's forget about them; you have Andres Iniesta, who is a magic player, you have Wayne Rooney who is a world-class player already. These are beautiful things that you have to see as well." (Source)

If Only Life Were Advertising: Barca Will Need Messi's Spark Today

If he comes through today against a very strong United side, there can be no doubt about Messi being the Best Player In The World.

Vote: bestplayerintheworld.com

How To Become The Best Player In The World: Be Reliable, On Time, Polite:

Like Messi:

"Leo was very quiet and didn't speak much. He was more of an introverted kid even though he played well. He was reliable, always on time, polite." (Source)

How To Become The Best Player In The World: Always Have A Ball At Your Feet:

Like Messi did at Barcelona:

"Benaiges said that what sets the Barca academy apart is the insistence that the recruits always have a ball at their feet.

"The most important aspect of our programme is always ball work," he said.

"In all the exercises they do, whether it's physical preparation or any other kind of training, the ball is always there. That's what distinguish us from other academies and makes us very different from other clubs." (Source)

Messi Goes Into Rome Final With 43% Of Worldwide Fan Vote At Bestplayerintheworld.com:

Lionel Messi 43% (505 votes)

Cristiano Ronaldo 25% (289 votes)

Steven Gerrard 8% (99 votes)
Fernando Torres 3% (40 votes)
Zlatan Ibrahimovic 3% (32 votes)
Kaka 2% (28 votes)
Wayne Rooney 2% (24 votes)
Ronaldinho 2% (19 votes)
Frank Lampard 1% (17 votes)
Andrei Arshavin 1% (16 votes)
Andres Iniesta 1% (14 votes)
Nemanja Vidic 1% (13 votes)
Franck Ribery 1% (8 votes)
Arjen Robben 1% (8 votes)
Emmanuel Adebayor <1% (5 votes)
David Villa <1% (5 votes)
Cesc Fabregas 1% (8 votes)
Sergio (Kun) Aguero <1% (4 votes)
Xavi Hernandez <1% (1 votes)
Samuel Eto'o <1% (5 votes)
Robinho <1% (5 votes)
Gianluigi Buffon <1% (5 votes)
Didier Drogba 1% (7 votes)
Iker Casillas <1% (2 votes)
Petr Cech <1% (5 votes)
Ashley Young <1% (2 votes)
Luka Modric <1%>

Total Votes: 1168

As of 10:00 AM Eastern Standard Time: Wed. May 27th, 2009

How To Become The Best Player In The World: Score Goals From 40 Yards (Like Cristiano Ronaldo):

How To Become The Best Player In The World: Grow Up In Barcelona's La Masia Youth Academy (Like Lionel Messi)

"...Barca's famed youth academy, which as well as producing Iniesta has honed the skills of former player and current coach Pep Guardiola, Argentine maestro Lionel Messi and Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas.

"Seven players likely to start Wednesday's final against Manchester United in Rome have passed through: goalkeeper Victor Valdes, captain Carles Puyol, defender Gerard Pique, midfielders Xavi, Iniesta and Sergio Busquets and forward Messi." (Source)

Rome Press Conference (Video): Sir Alex Yuks It Up And Refuses To Name The Best Player In The World:

“They are two fantastic footballers, both with the ability and courage to attack defenders all the time,” Ferguson said diplomatically. “No matter how many times they get tackled, they get up and want the ball. Physically, they are different, but at the end of the day, how can you divide them? It’s very difficult.” (Source)

How To Become The Best Player In The World: Find A Second Father (Like Cristiano Ronaldo):

This season at Manchester United has been accompanied by a prolonged drama about whether Ronaldo will soon leave for Real Madrid. In proclaiming last week that he was staying, Ronaldo did it in typically flamboyant style, saying, “My heart is here,” and calling Ferguson “a second father.” (Source)

How To Become The Best Player In The World: Run Away From Classrooms And Play As Much Soccer As Possible (Like Lionel Messi):

"A former teacher of Messi’s once said that the only thing he liked about school was the bell, so he could run out and play soccer. As he turned 18, Messi was the top scorer for Argentina when it won the 2005 FIFA world youth championship. A year later, he became the youngest Argentine to play in a World Cup; already Maradona had begun to see in Messi something of himself — the way Messi escaped tight spaces and kept the ball so close while he dribbled, as if it were a pet obeying a leash law." (Source)

James Lawton Thinks Messi Could Be In For Rude Awakening:

"It is just as well so much of Lionel Messi's football has been spent in the company of the angels. Had it not been, even his most ardent admirers might now be reaching down for some cutting reproach after his astoundingly presumptuous claim that somehow the trophy at stake here in Rome tomorrow is, morally speaking at least, already locked away in the Barcelona trophy room." (Source)

Rome Can Help Only Ronaldo As Messi Leads Fans' "Best Player In The World" Poll By A Large Margin:

Of the two players vying for the 2009 Best Player In The World crown, the only one who can gain from a great performance in Rome is Ronaldo. Thus far Messi is leading our world fans poll at bestplayerintheworld.com by a large margin. Counter to what people are saying, we believe that Messi can lose with Barca on Wednesday but still be considered Best Player In The World if he plays well. On the other hand, a United win won't automatically start Ronaldo's Best Player revival. For Ronaldo's sake, he must both play well and lead his team to victory for the fans of the world to take notice.

Zidane Prefers Fabulous Franck Ribery To Cristiano Ronaldo:

“Cristiano [Ronaldo] is a great player, of course, because he was chosen for the Golden Ball and could achieve it again this year. "He is a formidable player, but if you ask me who I prefer, it is very clear; [Franck] Ribery.” (Source)

Could Best Player Spotlight Fall On Rooney In Rome?

Everyone is talking Messi-Ronaldo but numerous Barca players are focusing on the perhaps underrated Wayne Rooney:

Pique:

"I've never seen a player as powerful as Rooney – the way he goes past people, the intensity of his play, the runs he makes from the first minute to the last and the shot he has. He is world class. Perhaps he does not get the credit he deserves because he should score more goals but he offers so much. When he is focused he is unstoppable."

Iniesta:

"What I value most about the way they play is how hard players like Rooney work," he said. "He was filling in at left-back against us last year in the semi-final. Finals are not usually very tactical. We can plan a million things before the game but in the second minute they can strike and all the plans go out the window. We cannot commit any mistakes because they have so much firepower up-front." (Source)

Silvinho To Use Vulcan Mind Meld To Stop Cristiano Ronaldo In Rome:

"He's an amazing player, like Lionel Messi," he said. "He's really difficult to defend against. He can do things other players can't "But I have the speed of thought to look after him. His mind is quick - I think my mind is quick." (Source)

Xavi Should Write Ad Copy For Adidas: He Claims Messi Can't Be Compared To Any Player In The World, Including Ronaldo:

“With respect to Cristiano and all the rest of the very good footballers there are today in the panorama of football, Messi is showing everybody he is the No 1,” Xavi said. “For me he is the best footballer in the world.

“He is different; there is not another player like him. You can’t compare him with anyone else because they will end up getting burnt. He is the best. For me the things he is showing mean that he is the best. I haven’t seen anything like him, either on a pitch or in training. To have him with us is fantastic and, truthfully, I wouldn’t swap him for anybody.” (Source)

Roberto Carlos Says Messi Is More Spectacular Than Ronaldo:

"Messi is better than Ronaldo. He has more quality, and is more spectacular." (Source)

Evra Sick With Worry Over Having To Face The Best Player In The World, Lionel Messi:

"I am sure he'll make it harder for me this time," he was quoted as saying in Spanish sports daily Marca.
"You have to stay focused for the whole match to stop him and if you relax for just a moment he can score." (Source)

Was A Spark Responsible For Creating Lionel Messi, The Best Player In The World?

Adidas thinks so:

Why Wait For The Rome Final? Vote Now For Either Messi Or Ronaldo. Vote Now At Bestplayerintheworld.com:

Tevez Says That Both Ronaldo And Messi Are Special. Cast Your Vote At Bestplayerintheworld.com.

"Everybody considers them to be the best football players in the world," Tevez said. "Some people will say Messi is the best and some people will say Ronaldo is the best.

"For me, they are both as special as each other. To have them both on the same pitch should be great entertainment for the fans." (Source)

Another Great Messi-Ronaldo Video. Watch And Vote At Bestplayerintheworld.com:

Iniesta Warning: Messi Eats Cocky English Teams For Breakfast

"When I hear that, the only thing I can do is laugh.

"If you even show him one per cent less than the respect he deserves you will be very sorry.

"He for me is the best player in the world. If he carries on the way he is, maybe we will be looking at the best player ever.

"The things he can do with a ball are sometimes not humanly possible. A lot of the players in this Barcelona squad have played with some of the best players in the world but some of the things he does in training just have everybody in shock." (Source)

Bestplayerintheworld.com: Toure Says Messi Is The Best If Barcelona Win In Rome.

“For now, Ronaldo is No 1,” he told the News of the World.

“He has so much power - just look at the goal he scored against Arsenal from 50m.

“And he is quick with the ball at his feet and strong in the air.”

“If Messi helps us to win the Champions League, then he deserves to be known as the best player in the world.” (Source)

Will United Resort To Brutality To Stop, The Best Player In The World, Lionel Messi?

Evra Promises To Shackle Messi So That Ronaldo Wins Best Player In The World Title Bout

Evra also believes he can help prove that United team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo is the best player in the world by putting the shackles on Messi.

The Argentina ace rivals Old Trafford’s Portugal superstar for that distinction.

“I can show Ronaldo is still the best player in the world if I play well against Messi,” said Evra. (Source)

Ronaldo Believes He Is Still The Best Player In The World. Do You? Vote Now At Bestplayerintheworld.com

"Every time I play football I go out on to the field believing that I am the best.

"And that is the same whether I am training or playing in the Champions League Final.

"For me, you have to have that confidence at all times. That's what makes me the player I am.

"It made me proud to be recognised as the best. I always believed I was the best, but it was an honour to become the official No.1 - and I still think I am at the top.

"Sometimes it is clear that if it is a close fight between two players for the European or world player of the year then winning the Champions League can decide the outcome.

"I won it last year because Manchester United won the Champions League and the Premier League. But I also won it because I scored 42 goals myself.

"It made me very happy. It was a big honour for me personally, but also for Manchester.

"This game we play is about the team, not individuals. This final is not about me and Messi. It is between Manchester United and Barcelona.

"Both are winners of their national titles and I predict that it will be a spectacular duel." Ronaldo missed the first six weeks of the season after undergoing ankle surgery following his exertions at Euro 2008." (Source)

Messi Or Ronaldo In Rome?: Vote Now At Bestplayerintheworld.com

We are just three days away from the biggest game of the year, the 2009 Champions League Final in Rome.

One of two very fine teams will be crowned champions of Europe.

But it is also a game in which one of two very fine players - Lionel Messi of Barcelona and Cristiano Ronaldo of Manchester United - will possibly prove that they are indeed the Best Player In The World.

Cast your vote now at bestplayerintheworld.com or wait until you see the two players go head-to-head on Wednesday.

Could Xavi Hernandez Outshine Messi and Ronaldo in Rome?

I'd put my money United to win the Champions League in Rome on Wednesday but you just never know with a team so rich in top talent like Barca.

People are talking about the game being the decider between Messi and Ronaldo for the Best Player In The World title but football is a funny game.

On the United side, Rooney could prove to be the "best player" on the day.

While on the Barca side two players stand out: Iniesta who scored the wonder goal that knocked out Chelsea and Xavi, who controls a game like no other player since perhaps Zidane.

If I were starting a team I'd look at only two players: Gerrard and Xavi. But Xavi would be first.

Xavi won't win the Best Player In The World award this year but he has a chance to steal some glory from Messi and Ronaldo on Wednesday and maybe put the club that is more than club past the favoured United.

Hard To Believe That Xavi Doesn't Get More Best Player In The World Votes

Here at Bestplayerintheworld.com we see of course Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo dominating the polls with an average 40 and 25 % of the voting respectively.

But we also see the likes of Andrei Arshavin rocketing up the charts on the strength of one performance, while Barcelona's Xavi Hernandez, a finalist for FIFA's World Player of the Year award in 2008, manages one meagre vote.

How is this possible?

He's such a great player.

Is it as simple as starting to blog about Xavi?

Will that generate more votes from fans?

Let's see...

Guardiola Prefers Messi to Ronaldo

"They are two great players but I'll stick with my player - I think he's the best." (Source)

Anderson Believes That Rome Will Be Ronaldo's Final

"It will be a duel between the two best players in the world," he is quoted as saying. "The big winner will be the fan, because there should be many dribbles, nice moves and goals.

"Still, I believe it will be known afterwards as Cristiano Ronaldo's final."

Argentine Buddy Tevez Says Messi Is Not Better Than Teammate Ronaldo

Maybe he is not being honest with the United-Barcelona Final just a week a way, but Carlos Tevez says that Lionel Messi is not the single best player in the world.

He says that Messi is merely equally as good as Cristiano Ronaldo:

“Lionel is a great player,” said Tevez.

“I have not spoken to him but I do know he is looking forward to the final a great deal.

“He is one of the best players in the world and it is going to be difficult for our defenders to stop him.

“In my opinion Messi and Ronaldo are the best players in the world, which is one of the reasons this could be such a great game.

“There is nothing between them. Messi plays with me for Argentina and Ronaldo for Manchester United, so I am very lucky.” (Source)

Messi: Nobody Plays To Be The Best Player In The World

Barcelona's Lionel Messi knows that a win by his team in Rome will lock up Best Player in the World status for him in 2009 but he refuses to focus on himself:

“Nobody plays to be the best player in the world. This is a team game. I don’t see it as a tussle between Cristiano and me. It will be a Barca-Manchester battle.

“What is important is that Barcelona are champions of Europe on May 27 in Rome.

“If we are champions it will certainly help me, but this is secondary.” (Source)

Vidic: Could A Centreback Ever Be The Best Player In The World?

United legend Bobby Charlton raves about the centreback who has been named player of the year by his teammates:

''He has been such an influence. He is the envy of the whole league and he has been a brilliant player for us,'' said United director Charlton. ''Nemanja is unbelievable in the air. He wins absolutely everything. He is so powerful and brave.

''He has a fantastic leap to get above the strikers. He also comes up for set-pieces and scores goals. As a defender he makes the full-backs, the goalkeeper and the midfielders in front of him all feel secure.

''He is a player you can depend on and put your trust in, and that is important. I like that he doesn't try to do too much, he sticks to his task of defending, and does that job very well.'' (Source)

Guti Agrees With Perez: Real Madrid Must Have The Best Players In The World

"It would be perfect. Hopefully Kaká, (Lionel) Messi and Cristiano (Ronaldo) will all come. In Madrid there must be the best." (Source)

Sir Alex Explains How The Best Players In The World Are Made

''There are some players, such as Kaka, Messi and Ronaldo who are innately gifted.

''But this is not enough, and there is a practice element which becomes very important.

''If you watch Cristiano Ronaldo, he practises after every squad training session, and quite a few others do the same.

''As a coach, we dedicate parts of the training to improving touch, movement, passing and speed of play, but the special quality, the detail, depends on the player being willing to sacrifice himself after training - this is a hallmark of the great players.

''If the big talents only rely on their natural ability, they won't have that extra edge. They must do something extra on their own.'' (Source)

Could Adidas Broker Messi's Move To Real Madrid?

If we're willng to say that Ronaldo will stay at United due to a new Nike contract, why can't we also be open to the possibility that as an Adidas athlete Lionel Messi could leave a Nike team (Barcelona) for an Adidas team (Real Madrid)?

At an Adidas promotion yesterday, Messi said that he would take a call from future Real president Florentino Perez:

"Yes, I would take his call. But that's all.

"I do not think he would call me, because he is after other players. I am very happy at Barca.

"My plan is to stay here. I came to Barcelona as a child and they have given everything to me. I am one of the people there.

"So, no, I do not believe Florentino will call because he knows this about me." (Source)

Australia Aims To Develop Best Players In The World, Players Like Messi and Ronaldo

Australia's National Technical Director Han Berger has tied the country's bid for future World Cups to the proper developement of domestic players. And he wants the country to focus only skill development:

“If you put too much emphasis on the result at too young an age then you tend to choose strong players instead of skilful ones and you forbid players to take risks and initiative instead of encouraging them to do so.

“At the end of the day you get punished for that because at the top level the game is not decided by the strongest and the fittest players because all players are strong and fit.

“At the top level the game is decided by players like Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo – the skilful ones – and if you want to go this high level you need players like that.

“That’s more or less my message and why we should put more emphasis on skill development as opposed to strength and conditioning at a young age.” (Source)

Arshavin Would Vote For Adidas' Best Player In The World - Messi

"...I think Messi will be the World Player of the Year. If I could vote it would be for Messi. Even if you just count the goals and the beautiful passes and look at it statistically, Messi would win over Ronaldo. It has been close but Messi has been better." (Source)

Ronaldo + Nike = United

The word today is that Cristiano Ronaldo will stay with Manchester United due to his pending deal with Nike:

"Cristiano Ronaldo will give the clearest indication yet that he will remain at Manchester United next season by signing a long-term deal with his sponsors Nike this week. The new deal, which is worth up to £25million over the next five years, effectively rules out a move to Real Madrid, who are endorsed by Nike’s biggest rivals, adidas." (Source)

The question is will he still be the best player in the world?

Perez Is Right: Real Needs Best Players

Florentino Perez is famous for the Galacticos period at Real Madrid and now he's saying that the floundering Spanish giants need to get back to that model (with him as president):

''We are working towards and we will work to create a spectacular project, and that is to make Real Madrid the best club in the world once more,'' said Perez, who is considered the favourite to win the election.

''We want to clean the image of the club and become leaders in Europe.

''A club like Real Madrid needs to have several of the best players in the world and even though I can't discuss names today, we have a spectacular project on the sporting side.'' (Source)

United have Ronaldo and Rooney. Barca Have Messi and Iniesta (and others). And interestingly Liverpool have Torres and Gerrard.

Perez has hit on a truth. To be a big team you need at least a couple of the players who are rated highly in our poll here at bestplayerintheworld.com.

The Life of a Centre-midfielder: Italian Style

> migliorgiocatoredelmondo.com

Praise be the FIRST Ronaldo: Three-time Best Player in the World

Source > Who Ate All The Pies

Jack Wilshire picks Messi for this year

Young England players are gathered at the team hotel and are discussing what it takes to become the Best Player in the World:

BOSTOCK: ‘I find it hard to get comfortable because as soon as you achieve one thing, you’re looking for the next one. You play for the U17s and then you want to play for the U19s, then the U21s. Players I’ve played with like Jack Rodwell and Nathan Delfouneso have moved on to the U19s. Look at Wayne Rooney and you see what’s achievable. I suppose the height is like Cristiano Ronaldo, he gets voted the best player in the world. How does he feel after that?’

WILSHERE: ‘Not this year he isn’t. He’s not the best this year.’

BOSTOCK: ‘Last year. It doesn’t matter what year it was. He was officially the best player in the world.’

WILSHERE: ‘Not this year.’

So who is?

WILSHERE: ‘Messi.’

(Source: Arsene Knows Best & the Daily Mail)

Wilshire is a great young player himself. Could he too become the best player in the world some day?

Rooney wants to stop Messi in Rome

"Messi's an unbelievable player," he said. "Probably one of the best ever, and it'll be great to play against him." (Source)

Reina says Gerrard is the Best Player in the World

Commenting on teammate Steven Gerrard's naming as the Football Writers' Association Player of the Year, goalkeeper Jose Reina said:

''I am happy with it. It's fully deserved - and not just in terms of England, but for the whole world,'' he said. '

'This season he has been superb - our best player, the best player in England and the best player in the world.

''Liverpool are a different team without him. We have to play and compete as a whole squad but he is key for us.'' (Source)

Is Cristiano Ronaldo the Most Selfish Player in the World?

If so, what and who are behind his terrible behaviour?



There may be some argument that he wants to add to his goal total to be considered the Best Player in the World for 2009 but you have to say that his behaviour at being substituted by Sir Alex Ferguson for the obvious purpose of optimizing Manchester United's quest for consecutive League and Champions League championships - was utterly selfish.

The incident may also have been doubly selfish in that what he did and the way he did it could open the door to his long desired depature to Real Madrid.

Was Ronaldo being opportunistic? Was it a Machiavellian move?

So strange to see him behaving this way just prior to possibly clinching the league and winning the Champions League.

When you also consider Carlos Tevez' comments during the week (saying "goodbye to United"), you have to wonder if perhaps player agents could be involved in such strange player behaviour prior to the biggest moment of the season.

Hmm. Certainly Ronaldo is responsible for his own behaviour but such selfishness? His agent must be involved.

Robinho says Messi is better than Ronaldo this year

While targeting best player in the world status for himself someday, Man City star, Robinho says that Messi currently leads the pack, just ahead of Ronaldo:

'One day I would like to be the No1 as well, the best player in the world. That is my aim while I am at Manchester City. I would love to do it. Before then, I have a chance to win the Golden Boot. Unfortunately, the team has not managed to win trophies this season, but I am looking for this award as the top scorer. Ronaldo has 17 goals at the moment, I have 14 goals, so I will fight until the end.

'I know all about Ronaldo, of course. I think he deserved to be chosen as the best player in the world last season, although I am not sure if he will get the title this year because [Lionel] Messi is playing very well.' (Source)

Dunne says Ronaldo is the Best Player in the World

Ahead of their Manchester derby on Sunday, City captain Richard Dunne has confirmed Cristiano Ronaldo's supremacy over all of the world's players.

"City captain Dunne, who will lead his side's attempts to keep the Portuguese star quiet, rates Ronaldo as one of the world's leading performers despite his reputation for going to ground too easily.''

'At times he can be running so fast any nick sends him tumbling. He makes the most of the situation, I suppose.'

'Some referees give free-kicks but some don't. He is the best player in the world and he plays the game to his advantage.'

'Diving or not diving, he's impossible to mark when he's on form.' (Source)

Hmm, given such talk, could Ronaldo turn the tide in our poll with a big performance in Rome?

And is there going to be enough "talk" around his performances to bring home the Ballon d'Or and World Player awards again later this year?

Well, it is only May.

The people are with Messi just now at bestplayerintheworld.com but where will they be in December?

The "Other" Best Player in the World: Cristiano Ronaldo

As you can see from the poll results here, Lionel Messi is the 2009 people's choice for Best Player in the World.

Messi has over 40% of the vote, while last year's Best Player in the World has only 25%, and the Barca player is looking forward to the match-up in Rome:

"It's the final everybody wanted," said Lionel Messi, who will have the chance to improve on an inconspicuous semi-final showing against the "other" best player in the world, Cristiano Ronaldo.

"At this moment in time we are the best two teams in the world. In both legs it was the same story – us trying to play football and Chelsea parked in their half. They are a very hard team to break down but we came through it." (Source)

The Best Player in the World vs The Best Player in the World: Messi and Ronaldo to Meet in Rome Title Fight

People have been hoping for this all season: United vs Barca, Ronaldo vs. Messi, last season's best player vs. this season's best.

And now we've got it.

The fans here at bestplayerintheworld.com have overwhelmingly voted for Messi this season but could that all change if Ronaldo continues to lift his game and United win the Champions League?

Can Messi actually be the best player in the world if his team don't win or if even his own teammates are challenging his status in the way that Andres Iniesta did with his sublime winning goal versus Chelsea?

There are still a few questions to be answered.

Here of course we ask the fans to vote. But we wonder how the two players' performances will affect voting later in the year for the Ballon d'Or and the FIFA World Player of the Year.

Whatever happens, 2009 has already provided enough demonstrations of individual talent from the best players in the world.

(see: James Lawton re: the Winter of Ronaldo and Messi)

Ridiculous: Ferdinand Wouldn't Want Messi?

That's what the Sun says:

"I hear a lot of people talking about various players being the best in the world but I am very happy with ours.

"I wouldn't swap any of our players for anyone in any other team.

"I look at other players around the world and then look at the ones in our dressing room and I am delighted to be in there." (Source)

Looks actually like the Sun is playing around with Rio's words. Rio seems to be more praising the quality of his United team than disparaging the best players in the world.

Iniesta's Heroic Goal Against Chelsea is Just One More Reason to Consider Him the Best Player in the World

A first-time-outside-of-the-foot-shot to the top corner to win it in injury time?

Come on.

That's real magic. That's a mark of greatness. Bestness.

Fitting that the pass for the goal came from the current best player in the world, number 10, Lionel Messi...

Ronaldo Unleashes Missile from 39 yards and Sinks Arsenal

"But if United's opener came courtesy of good fortune, their next was the result of audacity, mixed with high ability.

To even think of going for goal from the spot when Robin van Persie had clattered into Ronaldo would be dismissed by most professionals as foolhardy.

Yet, in Porto three weeks ago, the world player of the year drove home a shot measured at exactly 39.1 yards. As Ronaldo stepped back and waited from even further out, ready to unleash his missile, Almunia knew what to expect.

Indeed, it could be argued that from such distances, not goalkeeper should be beaten.

But as Ronaldo let fly, with venom, and watched his shot dip and flicker, Almunia was powerless to prevent it ripping into the net." (Source)

Get This: Arsenal striker Nicklas Bendtner believes he can be one of the best players in the world

Every player is entitled to this dream. Especially the young ones. But while Bendtner may be young, he has also been around long enough for all of us to see his ultimate limitations.

For the record, here's what he said about his dream:

"There will always be some people that doubt. There will always be shared opinions.

"I know that I can be one of the best in the world.

"I will only have to continue to believe, keep both feet on the ground and focus on getting better.

"I have no doubt that this will happen, so that's why I take it easy." (Source)

Is this really Bendtner talking or is it the voice of Uncle Arsene behind the moving lips of the Dane?

Barca Planning to Sell Best Player in the World to Manchester City?

"Manchester City are preparing a great acquisition campaign. Lionel Messi and José Mourinho are included in the special list. According to “People”, Manchester City would be prepared to pay 150 million pounds for the Argentine. Barcelona’s president, Laporta, who met last week in London with City executive chairman, Garry Cook, was informed of the British club’s intentions." (Source)

Messi says Barca will use el Classico Approach Against Chelsea

"We will play in the same way against Chelsea as we did against Real and, playing like that, we will have many chances.

"If we do things as we did on Saturday then we will score and go through.

"This was a massive boost. We're going to London with great spirit and desire to fight and with a lot of belief that we'll go through.

"We've come out of this with a renewed confidence and strength." (Source)

mejorjugadordelmundo.com

Messi Gol. Messi Gol. Messi Gol. Messi Gol Gol...Gooooooooollllllll......

Balague Claims Iniesta is Best Footballer on Planet Earth

Ray Hudson:

"...reading claims by a wonderful writer Guillem Balague, a wonderful authority on Spanish football. And he is actually raising Iniesta to be the best footballer on planet earth. There's not a lot of people who would agree with him but I think there's a good few of us and are growing that would agree with him."

(Source: Setanta broadcast of El Classico May 2, 2009)

mejorjugadordelmundo.com

38th Minute

Messi attempts an audacious chip that almost finds the far-post top-corner but Casillas stretches to save.

The Best Player in the World could have had three by now.

El Classico Current Score: Real 1 - Barca 2.

Messi's beautiful ball on Barca's first goal

Chipped over the Real defense.
Scored by Henry.
17 min.
Real 1 Barca 1.

Ramos says Messi is Head and Shoulders Above Everyone Else

Speaking ahead of the Barca-Real Classico, Madrid defender Sergio Ramos praised opponent Lionel Messi:

“Our biggest danger will be Messi. I believe he is head and shoulders above everyone else. But to beat them, we have to have more ball possession." (Source)