Irreplaceable Lionel Messi Wants To Stay At Barcelona For A Long Time
Angela Asante, October 1st, 2010
On Thursday, Lionel Messi collected the European Golden Boot award at a ceremony. Leo scored over 40 goals last season, and pal Pedro believes he is "irreplaceable".
Messi receives Golden Boot for top European scorer
By JOSEPH WILSON (AP) -- 1 day ago
BARCELONA, Spain — Lionel Messi has been presented with the Golden Boot award for being the top scorer in European domestic leagues last season.
Messi had failed to score a single goal at the World Cup in South Africa. Even so, former Argentina coach Diego Maradona said Wednesday that Messi deserved the award and hoped he would "win many more."
Messi is the second Barcelona player to be honored by European Sports Magazine. Ronaldo earned the club's first Golden Boot by scoring 34 goals,in the 1996-97 season.
Barcelona captain Carles Puyol applauded Messi's ability and character.
"He is the best in the world, but he is humble. He improves everyday," Puyol said before the awards ceremony. "He is the best player in the world and he demonstrated that he deserves this award."
Messi has scored two goals in three games in the Spanish league this season.
Lionel Messi collects the European Golden Boot.Over the past few years, Lionel Messi's status as the undisputed world's best player in terms of the public's opinion was largely contested by rival Cristiano Ronaldo. But the 23-year-old Argentine, who has been at Barcelona since the past 10 years, gradually won over the majority of the public through unprecedented achievements, mind-blowing performances, and club football glory.
According to Barcelona's Pedro Rodriguez, no-one compares to Lionel Messi who is currently working to reach full fitness following the ankle injury he sustained earlier in September. The young Spaniard declared during a press conference on Friday:
"Lionel Messi is the best player in the world and he cannot be compared to any other player. He is irreplaceable although we've won games without him.
"Every day, he works hard, and it shows on the field. He always wants to further himself and he wants to play here for a long time."
So far, Lionel Messi has never be the subject of a transfer saga between Barcelona and any other club. The 2009 Ballon d'Or winner looks focused on his career at the Camp Nou as he is on his way to cement his name as a Barcelona veteran and legend. Speaking to Spanish media Marca, Lionel Messi avowed his love for the Catalans as he confirmed:
"That's what I always say: Barcelona is my home, and I wish to remain here for many more years."
Barcelona will host Real Mallorca in La Liga on Sunday. Despite featuring as a substitute against Rubin in the Champions League earlier this week, Lionel Messi may not start against Mallorca. The Argentine is only returning from his ankle injury and the club have promised not to take risks by rushing him onto the field.
Don't miss the Barcelona vs Real Mallorca La Liga match!
leo messi Messi es Pichichi y Bota de Oro 2010
Leo Messi no puede estar más contento. Su equipo se acaba de proclamar campeón de la Liga 2009-2010 y él ha sido el máximo goleador tanto de la Liga española como de toda Europa. Sus 34 goles le han servido para llevarse el Pichichi y la Bota de Oro, superando sobradamente a otros artilleros como Di Natale (Udinese), Rooney (Manchester United), Drogba (Chelsea) o Luis Suárez (Ajax).
En total esta temporada se va a casa a descansar con 47 goles anotados, una cifra que iguala a la que un día logró Ronaldo, el bueno, el que todos echamos de menos. De hecho, el argentino ya entró en la historia del Barça por ser uno de los cinco futbolistas azulgranas que logran marcar más de 30 goles en una temporada. Antes sólo lo habían conseguido Mariano Martín, Romario, Ronaldo y Samuel Eto'o.
¿Seguirá la sed insaciable del mejor jugador del mundo?
