Leo Messi wins the FIFA Ballon d'Or

Roger Bogunyà

01/07/2013 20:00

FC Barcelona's star forward wins his fourth consecutive FIFA Ballon d'Or. He's the only player in the history of the sport to win the trophy four times
Messi beat out Cristiano Ronaldo and teammate Andrés Iniesta, second and third respectively

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  Messi ha aconseguit la seva quarta Pilota d'Or / FOTO: ARXIU - FCB

"I want to share the Ballon d'Or with my FC Barcelona teammates, especially with Andrés [Iniesta]"

Leo Messi has the Midas touch. This Monday afternoon, at the Kongresshaus in Zurich, the Argentine genius was named the winner of the FIFA Ballon d’Or for the fourth time in as many years. He beat out Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo and teammate Andrés Iniesta, second and third respectively. The winner of the award in 2006, Paolo Cannavaro, was charged with reading the name of the winner and awarding the trophy.

“It’s an honour”
Messi, 25 years old, was visibly touched to win the Ballon d’Or: “Winning this award again is incredible. It’s impressive. I want to share this with my FC Barcelona teammates, especially with Andrés [Iniesta], and also with the players of the Argentina national team. It’s an honour. Thank you to my family, my friends, and lastly and especially to my wife and son, he’s the most precious thing God has given me.” His speech was followed by long standing ovation by the FIFA Ballon d'Or Gala attendees.

Messi surpasses Cruyff, Platini and Van Basten

With his latest Ballon d’Or conquest, Messi is now the only footballer in the history of the sport to ever win the trophy four times. He surpassed Michel Platini’s three consecutive Ballon d’Or wins (1983, 1984 and 1985), the three trophies won by Johan Cruyff (1971, 1973 and 1974) and Marco van Basten’s three wins (1988, 1989 and 1992). Leo Messi, simply put, is a living legend. 
FCBarcelona Official site

Adriano

• Full Name: Adriano Correia
• Squad No: 21
• Position: Defender
• Age: 28
• Birth Date: Oct 26, 1984
• Birth Place: Curitiba, Brazil
• Height: 1.73m



Adriano

• Weight: 66 kg

Teams

• Barcelona
• Brazil

Last Game

Barcelona 4 - 1 Atletico Madrid

Spanish Primera División
December 16, 2012

2012/13 Spanish La Liga

GAMES	GOALS	ASSISTS	SHOTS
11	5	0	11

ADRIANO

Profile:::::

An extremely versatile performer for Sevilla, Adriano played consistently for the club for six years before sealing a move to Barcelona in the summer of 2010. Able to play in five different positions, his work rate and stamina saw him capped by Brazil early in his career.
Beginning his footballing life in Brazil with Coritiba, he was snapped up by Sevilla in 2004 and went on to win at least one title in four of his six seasons at the club. He was also a member of the Brazilian national side that won the Copa America, in Peru, in 2004, but failed to gain another cap after that.
Seen as one of the best widemen in La Liga, Barcelona signed him for around €9 million in the summer of 2010.
Strengths: Very quick and versatile, he boasts good skill on the ball and is a threat from wide areas.
Weaknesses: A little lightweight, his attacking instincts can leave him out of position and his tackling is not the strongest.
Career high: Winning back-to-back UEFA Cup titles with Sevilla in 2005 and 2006.
Career low: Failure to make the Brazil 2006 World Cup squad.
Style: Quick, skillful, a versatile performer.
Quotes: "The truth is that I began my career at Coritiba as a left-back and that is where I can best show off my virtues. I feel most comfortable on the left, but I am accustomed to playing in other positions without too much problem.'' Adriano on joining Barcelona.
Trivia: Like many Barcelona signings, his buyout clause is high: €90 million to be exact.
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Martin Montoya

• Squad No: 19
• Position: Defender
• Age: 21
• Birth Date: Apr 14, 1991
• Birth Place: Spain
• Height: 1.75m



Martin Montoya

• Weight: 74 kg

Teams

• Barcelona
• Spain
• Barcelona B

Last Game

Real Valladolid 1 - 3 Barcelona

Spanish Primera División
December 22, 2012

2012/13 Spanish La Liga

GAMES	GOALS	ASSISTS	SHOTS
8	0	2	1	In espn search by kesahv....

Jordi Alba

• Squad No: 18
• Position: Defender
• Age: 23
• Birth Date: Mar 21, 1989
• Birth Place: L'Hospitalet, Spain
• Height: 5' 7'' (1.70m)



Jordi Alba

• Weight: 152 kg

Teams

• Barcelona
• Valencia
• Spain

Last Game

Real Valladolid 1 - 3 Barcelona

Spanish Primera División
December 22, 2012

2012/13 Spanish La Liga

GAMES	GOALS	ASSISTS	SHOTS
15	2	4	4

JORDI ALBA

Profile:::

Barcelona swooped to land Spanish left-back Alba after his impressive Euro 2012 campaign. An international star for years to come, a bargain €14 million pricetag ensured that the Catalans landed yet another player with 'Barca DNA'.
Born in Barcelona, he joined La Masia but was released by the club in 2005. Joining the neighbouring UE Cornella and, after two years of progression, he departed in a €6,000 deal to Valencia.
Initially earning his chance in the reserves, he was promoted to the first-team in 2009 and snatched the opportunity to shine as Valencia's defence suffered injury problems. Becoming a key performer for Los Che, he was rewarded with a call-up to the Spanish Under-21 squad and cemented his place by the time he made the full squad in 2011.
First-choice in the Spain defence who conceded just one goal at Euro 2012, he agreed a return to Barcelona with his club contract running down and moved back to the Nou Camp that summer.
Strengths: An attacking full-back who will complement Dani Alves well, Alba's pace and stamina helps him get up and down the flanks.
Weaknesses: Defensively he is not the firmest tackler, while he can be caught out of position when he is upfield.
Career high: Scoring the second goal in the final of Euro 2012, he lifted his first major trophy.
Career low: Leaving Barcelona's academy aged 15, he must have wondered if he would succeed as a professional footballer.
Style: Quick, dynamic, a modern full-back who will bring more class to Barcelona.
Quotes: "I'm coming home, with my family and my people, that's why I'm so content. It's been an incredible month for me and now I have to take advantage of the opportunity that Barcelona have given me. I'm excited that I'll be playing for the best team in the world, with the best players and the best fans. It's a big challenge for me but I'll try to do my best. I was only 15 when I left Barcelona to do my own thing. Luckily, after some years, they have signed me again. The club has given me a chance and I'm very pleased." Jordi Alba in an interview club's official website.
Trivia: Alba appeared in all four games as Spain won the gold medal at the 2009 Mediterranenan Games and played in both the 2008 UEFA European Under-19 Football Championship and the 2009 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Egypt.
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Pedro

• Full Name: Pedro Rodriguez
• Squad No: 17
• Position: Forward
• Age: 25
• Birth Date: Jul 28, 1987
• Birth Place: Santa Cruz, Spain
• Height: 1.70m



Pedro

• Weight: 141 kg

Teams

• Barcelona
• Spain

Last Game

Real Valladolid 1 - 3 Barcelona

Spanish Primera División
December 22, 2012

2012/13 Spanish La Liga

GAMES	GOALS	ASSISTS	SHOTS
16	1	5	23

PEDRO

Profile:::

Pedro was part of the Barcelona youth team setup for two years before he started to show his class as Pep Guardiola's men made history by sealing a six-trophy haul in 2009.
Often used as a super-sub in his first senior season, he picked up more medals in a few months than most players will collect in an entire career and made his mark on one of the most talented squads in football history, cementing his place in the side.
Pedro had not won a cap for Spain before he was included in their 23-man squad for South Africa 2010, but performed so well that he started the final - a 1-0 triumph.
Strengths: Fast and agile, he can beat a man and also has good vision and passing skills.
Weaknesses: Lack physical presence and can be knocked off the ball easily. A lack of height also limits his aerial prowess.
Career high: Winning the 2010 World Cup with Spain only just beats his impact in Barcelona's six-trophy haul of 2008-09.
Career low: Playing just seven minutes in his first two seasons at Barcelona.
Style: Technical, tricky, a composed wideman.
Quotes: "We all knew that he was a quality player and that he was good enough for the team, but he's offering more than we ever imagined." Pep Guardiola, April 2010.
Trivia: He is the only player to score in six different club competitions in one season - his three domestic tournaments, the UEFA Champions League, Super Cup and the Club World Cup.

Sergio Busquets

• Full Name: Sergio Busquets
• Squad No: 16
• Position: Midfielder
• Age: 24
• Birth Date: Jul 16, 1988
• Birth Place: Sabadell, Spain
• Height: 1.88m
• Weight: 161 kg

Teams

• Spain
• Barcelona

Last Game

Barcelona 4 - 1 Atletico Madrid

Spanish Primera División
December 16, 2012

2012/13 Spanish La Liga

GAMES	GOALS	ASSISTS	SHOTS
15	1	1	1

SERGIO BUSQUETS

• PROFILE

Being a part of one of the greatest Barcelona teams of all-time ensured Busquets' rise to the top happened quickly.

The tall defensive midfielder came through the academy to make his mark on the B side in 2007 under Pep Guardiola and was soon promoted to the senior side the following year, winning six trophies with the club in his first season.

An unsung hero, his hard work allows the silky smooth stars in Pep Guardiola's side to strut their stuff and he is a vital cog in the Barcelona machine. Making his debut for the senior Spain side in February 2009, only 18 months later he would play all by 30 minutes of their successful World Cup campaign.

Strengths: Cool and composed, he passes the ball simply and is robust in the tackle to break up opposition attacks.

Weaknesses: Prone to theatrics, his desire to hound the referee over decisions does not make him a popular figure.

Career high: Winning the 2010 World Cup with Spain after sealing a first-team place.

Career low: Getting Thiago Motta sent off with a piece of theatrics in the Champions League semi-final in 2010.

Style: Robust, composed, a simple but effective player.

Quotes: "If I was a footballer, I would like to be like Busquets". Spain coach, Vicente del Bosque.

Trivia: Busquets' father, Carles, was also a footballer, having played as backup goalkeeper for Barcelona for several years during the 1990s.

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Javier Mascherano

• Full Name: Javier Alejandro Mascherano
• Squad No: 14
• Position: Defender
• Age: 28
• Birth Date: Jun 8, 1984
• Birth Place: San Lorenzo, Argentina
• Height: 5' 9'' (1.75m)
• Weight: 77 kg

Teams

• Barcelona
• Argentina

Last Game

Barcelona 4 - 1 Atletico Madrid

Spanish Primera División
December 16, 2012

• Match Stats
• Report

2012/13 Spanish La Liga

GAMES	GOALS	ASSISTS	SHOTS
11	0	0	0

JAVIER MASCHERANO

• PROFILE

Javier Mascherano is one of the last great players to emerge from the junior ranks of River Plate, and was outstanding in a position previously occupied by the greatest heroes of that famous club, such as Americo Ruben Gallego, Reinaldo Carlos Merlo, Leonardo Astrada and Matias Almeyda.

The career of this talented midfielder initially followed the same path of his countryman Carlos Tevez. He shone in a great Argentine club (winning two league titles with River), was transferred to Corinthians of Brazil and then to West Ham in England, just like the former Boca player.

However, after enduring a miserable time at Upton Park, he was transferred to Liverpool where he finally found some solidity and consistency during a three year spell, before opting to move on and join Spanish side Barcelona in August 2010 for around £17 million.

One of the stars of the Argentine national team, he captains the side and has won two gold medals in the Olympic Games: one in Athens 2004 and the other in Beijing 2008.

Strengths: His engine and ability to break up play and win the ball make him a key midfielder. His distribution, while unspectacular, is accurate.

Weaknesses: Lacks accuracy in his shooting at goal and has a limited passing range and questionable temperament.

Career high: He was one of the cornerstones in the midfield of the Argentine team that grabbed gold at the 2004 Olympics.

Career low: His stint with West Ham, where he played very little.

Style: Competitive, fierce, a ball winning midfielder.

Quotes: "Mascherano and ten other guys," was Maradona's answer when asked about the names on his teamsheet.

Trivia: Debuted for the Argentine national team before making his debut in the Argentine first division for his own team.

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