COLOMBIA

On 7 January, Lionel Messi
beat one more record. It
was not one of those he
surpasses every week with the
efficient magic of his left foot,
but the recognition of the whole
football family of his kingdom for
the fourth consecutive year. He
was the Star of FIFA’s Gala, where
the best players of 2012 received
their prizes.
Joseph Blatter, FIFA President
and François Morinière, director
of the France Football magazine,
welcomed the attendants to an
impeccable and glittering
celebration, hosted by Ruud
Gullit, well-remembered former
Dutch footballer and Kay Murray,
journalist. The names of the
candidates to receive the Ballon
d’Or were immediately
mentioned, prolonging the
expectations until the ceremony
reached its climax, once the
remaining awards had been
presented.
Messi‘s new consecration
reflected one more the vision
his colleagues, coaches and
56●CSF
journalists have of his impeccable
play. More than 63% of the
voters placed him first in their
lists. Of the 163 national teams’
captains, 98 voted him as
number 1, and 60, a 12%.
Barcelona’s number 10 selected
Andrés Iniesta, Xavi and Sergio
Agüero. His pre-eminence was
more obvious among the
national teams’ managers who
have to think what to do to keep
Siempre encuentra tiempo para detenerse y atender a los hinchas. La solemnidad
de la Gala en Zúrich se rompió con la pasión de cientos de admiradores.
He always has time to stop and talk with his fans. The solemnity of the
Gala in Zurich was broken by the passion of hundreds of admirers.
him quiet whenever they have to
confront him. There were 111 of
the 157 voters, a 70,70% who
placed him on top. Of the 156
journalists appointed by France
Football, 91 (58,33%) voted for
him as Number 1. In total, of 476
voters for the Ball d’Or, 300
selected Messi as the best, that is
to say a 63,02%. An impressive
and unquestionable figure.
Nevertheless, there was a
tense atmosphere when the
winner’s name was going to
be announced. The person in
charge of making the
announcement was the
remarkable defender Fabio
Cannavaro, another player who
from the field knows how to
appraise the qualifications of the
great attackers. After embracing
his teammate Iniesta, the
Argentine crack climbed on the
stage, received the usual prize
and confronted the microphone
with the nerves he usually leaves
outside the fields of play. “It’s
incredible to attain this prize
again, for the fourth consecutive