Lionel Messi: The Next Fifa Player of the Year?

At the age of 22, Lionel Messi has already held the La Liga trophy, the Copa del Rey, and the UEFA Champions League title.

Moreover, Leo also knows how it feels like to be the world’s second best player.

He has won this award twice in two consecutive years, but having failed on two occasions to convince the public that he deserved the first place at the Fifa Player of the Year ceremony, Messi could cause his rival Cristiano Ronaldo an upset, only to hold what is regarded as the most prestigious award in the world of soccer.

Many believe that the reigning master of football Ronaldo is a great player, with amazing skills and tricks with the ball; however, many also think that Lionel Messi has the best control over the ball, and that his team spirit is better than Ronaldo’s.

As a result, when it comes to choosing who is worthy of the Player of the Year award, fans are just puzzled. It wouldn’t be surprising if fans were to vote according to each player’s achievement in the 2008-09 season, but in that case, Messi’s chances of coming out as the winner would be greater than his opponent’s.

With nine goals in the Champions League, 23 goals in the league, and six goals in the Copa del Rey, Messi has been able to score 38 goals last season; and such a record surely guaranties him a better place in the standings at the end of the year.

Scoring goals hasn’t been Messi’s only value in these last months—teasing and piercing defenses have also been among his great qualities.

Eventually, Messi may not have as much style as his challenger Cristiano Ronaldo; but at least his breathtaking performance on the pitch may be enough for him surpass his contender in this year’s voting.

No one can be so sure that Messi will turn out to be the winner; nonetheless, one could be convince that the Argentine forward’s hard work last season was sufficient to grant him the honor of the Best Player of the Year.

Isaac Asante - LM10 and WR writer

More on Lionel Messi at: Messi's Fan Site