In last nights Club World Cup Final post-match press conference, FC Barcelona coach Josep Guardiola appealed to the reporters for a humble atmosphere in the press room of the Zayed Stadium, an act that was applauded by everyone including all the special envoys present.

“We have achieved something special, and I am extremely happy but tired,” the history-making coach said, who has admitted that he did wept during the celebrations, “It is for everything that has happened.”

When asked about what lays beyond for him and the team after a very productive year, Guardiola limited himself to saying that “there are still work to be done”, and more objectives for Barcelona to aim for, but confessed that he does not foresee himself ever repeating the six-titles exploit again.

While congratulating his players for accomplishing an “epic victory”, he also confessed that he feared the worse during the match, and at the same time complimented Estudiantes de La Plata for being a “superb” opponent.

Briefly touching on the match, Guardiola said he aimed to wear Estudiantes players out over the extra-time period, and told his players to keep a look out for any goal-scoring opportunities when they already are, which came in the 110th minute through Messi. While speaking highly of game-hero Pedro Rodríguez crucial contribution, he also emphasized the efforts put in by Jeffrén, Henry, and of course, that of Messi.

“It was a marvellous endeavour what we have accomplished. I congratulate the players, To reach here today, it is thanks to the effort they have given for the past seven months and they have done exceptionally well. And credit must also be given to the club as a whole for it’s uniqueness, because we have ‘UNICEF’ on our shirts, that instead asking for payments, we are the one who pays,” said the coach, who dedicated the Club World Cup trophy to Evarist Mustra – a former club director who resigned in 2003 – who encouraged him to take up a coaching career.

“After a while, we’ve begun to realise what we can accomplish this year. It makes me happy because I believe that the people, the fans, have been rewarded for all their support. And I also want to thank all the players that we have had: Silvio (Sylvinho), Samuel (Eto’o), Alex (Hleb) and Guddi (Gudjohnsen). I want to give my thanks to everyone,” he added.

“We have completed the best year in the history of the club,” acknowledging that because of that feat, he will now enter the Catalan club’s history books as the best coach since it was founded 110 years ago, a recognition that he said he has a hard time accepting.

Finally, he added that he is grateful for the “professionalism” shown by his players, pointing out that he was fortunate to have coached a group of players that likes to “play football (Barcelona-style)” and that they have given him a lot enjoyment for his profession, but reminded everyone that if they ever aspire to taste something like this again “we need to continue working at this level”.

“In fact at half time, I took Leo aside and told him I wanted a goal from him, that came from his heart. He scored that goal with his heart.”

PLAYER RATINGS:

Victor Valdes: Not at fault for the goal, but will be a little disappointed with himself, for not keeping Bosselli’s header out despite getting a hand to it. Estudiantes did not have a single shot on goal after they took the lead, and Valdes had a very quiet night after he picked the ball out of his own net. Dealt with the back passes from his defenders very well. – 6

Dani Alves: Was energetic through out the 120 minutes. Ventured forward quite a bit, but his crosses failed to find their intended target more often than not. As countless times before, his final pin-point aerial assist to Messi decided the outcome of the match. – 7

Gerard Pique: Defensively, he was the best player for the Blaugrana tonight. He dealt with corners and crosses well. Ventured forward towards the end of the 90 minutes, when Barcelona were a goal down and it paid off bigtime as he won a crucial header, providing the assist to Pedro, who scored to keep Barcelona in the game. – 7

Carles Puyol: The cross for Bosselli’s goal barely sailed over his head, but he could do nothing about it. Joined his fellow defender Pique in the opponents box, for all the corners as Barca were staring at defeat. Had a quiet game defensively as Estudiantes did not threaten to score. Will be overjoyed to be the first captain in the clubs history to get his hands on the FIFA CWC trophy. –6

Eric Abidal: Did not do enough to mark Bosselli for the goal, but other than that he was strong in defense. Did not make as many surging-runs forward, as one would have liked. – 6

Sergi Busquets: Did well to keep possesion as Estudiantes pressured alot in the first half. Brought the ball out of defense and his distribution forward throughout the game was good. His recent performances have done just about enough to justify his first team selection. Withdrawn for Toure at 80 mins as Guardiola opted for some fresh legs in midfield. – 6.5

Xavi Hernandez: Was presented with a one-on-one against Albil early on, after linking up well with Ibra, but decided to pass the ball across the goal mouth, instead of a more direct approach. Should have been awarded a penalty, after he was brought down in the box by Albil. Kept the Barca engine ticking with Messi alongside him in midfield. Kept distributing the ball to Alves and Henry on either flank. Launched a fantastic aerial ball into the box, which Ibrahimovic made a mess of. Was not at his defense splitting best tonight. - 6.5

Seydou Keita: The Malian was on the receiving end of some very rash tackles, and shrugged of an injury early on. Found it difficult to settle into the game there after, and was brought down time and again by the Argentine midfield. Withdrawn for the more attacking-focused Pedro at halftime. –6

Thierry Henry: The under fire Frenchman did not hesitate to take on Clemente Rodriguez on the left flank, and did well to get in his crosses on quite a few occasions. He even provided a perfect assist for Pedro in the second half, which Pedro unfortunately did not manage to convert. However, he was anonymous for parts of the game and was withdrawn for Jeffren. –6

Zlatan Ibrahimovic: Got the game started when he released Xavi through on goal, with a perfect back heel pass. Was involved in almost all of Barcelona’s attacks, and had more shots on goal than any of his teammates. His left foot strike flew just wide of the post. Made a huge blunder of Xavi’s perfect cross, when he mistimed his lunge forward and headed it wide. Will be very disappointed not to have registered a goal today, but a decent overall outing for the big Swede. –6.5

Lionel Messi: Did not seem comfortable early on, and was then moved to the midfield by Guardiola at the start of the second half. Kept creating opportunities and did well in midfield alongside Xavi. He was a different player in extra time as he came to life and took on Estudiantes almost single handedly. His free-kick landed on the roof of the net, and he ran past four Estudiantes players with blistering pace and fantastic ball control, and also had a couple of shots on goal. All his relentless pressure would pay off, as he was on the end of Alves’ cross to chest the ball into the net. In doing so, his team won its sixth major trophy of the year. An unbelievable performance in added time by the Argentine. – 8.5

SUBSTITUTES:

Pedro Rodriguez: He missed an absolute sitter, when he failed to make contact with Henry’s perfect cross from the left flank. However, he made no mistake, when he was presented with another golden opportunity again and his header found the back of the net. He came up with the goal with a minute to spare on the clock. Worked hard right from his introduction to the final whistle. – 7

Yaya Toure: Was brought on late in the second half, and did well to marshall the centre of midfield and keep the ball moving forward. Had a couple of runs forward, and even had a shot on goal that was blocked by a defender. – 6

Jeffren Suarez: His introduction surprised many, but it was a smart move by Guardiola as he used his pace and simply flew past the exhausted Estudiantes players. Whipped in a number of dangerous crosses from the left and was one of Barcelonas strongest performers in extra time. Great outing for the 21-year-old. –6.5