Messi: A perfect year

19 December 2009

Lionel Messi has done it again. After Pedro had sent the final of the UAE 2009 into extra time with an 89th-minute equaliser, the Argentinian maestro appeared in the right place at the right time once more to deny compatriots Estudiantes and secure his side’s sixth trophy of a miraculous year.

Just minutes after chesting in the goal that gave Barça their first FIFA Club World Cup crown, the magical Messi spoke exclusively to FIFA.com.

Lionel, how do you feel right now?
I’m extremely happy. We’ve just ended a historic year, a perfect year in which we’ve won every competition we’ve played in. We just needed to take this last step and everything has worked out how we wanted. It’s amazing. It’s difficult to put into words.

What does it mean to have won the FIFA Club World Cup at last?
It’s very important to us. It was unfinished business for Barcelona and we put it right today. The fact we had to work hard to win it too makes it even more special.

And how do you feel about winning the Adidas Golden Ball?
It’s nice to get that recognition of course, but it’s something I want to share with my team-mates. I couldn’t have won an award like this without them.

What was the key to you turning the game around?
Having faith in ourselves. We knew we had to keep playing our own game, keep playing the way we always do, without changing, even though time was running out for us. It’s worked out for us quite a few times for us this year and fortunately it worked out again.

What kind of a game was it to play in?
Very tough. I couldn’t get into the game or find my place. We all had that problem, though, and that’s because we were playing a great side who were extremely well organised, who knew what they were doing, and who almost stuck it out to the final whistle. Unfortunately for them though, we got the goal right at the end.

Do you think Barcelona were worthy winners?
Well, our goal came late on but I think we played a lot of good football and had chances to score earlier. I know we were only two minutes away from losing but I think the result was the right one.

How does it feel to score yet another decisive goal?
If Pedro hadn’t scored, then I wouldn’t have had the chance to score mine. I’m delighted at getting the winner but I’m even happier at winning the cup with this group of players.

Can you just talk us through the goal?
I know Dani and I knew where he was going to put the cross as he saw me get in there, just as he usually does. The ball came in and I didn’t know whether to head or chest it in. I think it might even have come off the badge.

Finally, is this Barcelona side the greatest team of all time?
If you’re talking about all the trophies, then there’s no other side that has achieved what we have this year. It’s not easy to answer that right now though. We are happy at having made history but make no mistake, we’ll be out to win everything again next year.

For the Barcelona team, after achieving legendary status barely two days ago, it is obviously very difficult to gather any other thoughts apart from enjoying themselves and living in the moment. But life goes on and it is also necessary to have time to think about the future. It is with these thoughts that club president, Joan Laporta made use of the one hour flight to Kuwait to have an impromptu discussion with Pep Guardiola to try to convince him to renew his contract.

Nevertheless, the coach has again refused to entertain the matter.

“On the plane, Pep has told me he still needs time to be sure if he wants to renew or not. For now, he just wants to digest everything that had just happened, and I am sure the break will be good for him,” the president revealed, when asked about it by reporters, upon the team’s arrival in Kuwait yesterday.

And at a press conference held later, Laporta again reiterated the club’s wishes: “Bearing in mind that this team has marked the start of an era, we would now want Pep to continue it.”

“We know that he is a very thoughtful person, and he knows better than anyone else what it is good for the club,” the president trying to give everyone, especially the fans, his optimistic assessment on the matter.

“He wants to, and has the desire to do so, but there are a lot of other factors that he needs to reflect on. Nevertheless personally, I am optimistic that he’ll stay.”

Asked about any duration, the president insisted that it “will not be short-term”, reminding those present that the club had once “made a decision to bet on him, and is now willing to make that bet again by renewing his contract for a few more years.”

Laporta also thinks that having the coach confirmed as soon as possible is of paramount importance so he can start planning for next season: “We understand the importance of having the coach renew as early as possible and work on his project from a certain date, and that is also why Pep will decide before the season ends.”

This is not the first time Pep Guardiola had refused to give any indication as to where his decision lies, as it is a known fact that the coach is a very determined person. Last June, after achieving the triplete, Laporta offered the whole coaching staff a one year contract extension, which if it was accepted then, would mean Guardiola’s contract would have expired by June, 2010, to be evaluated further after that; and he refused that offer.

It has now been half a year since then, and Barca has clinched three more titles, and yet Pep’s seems unshakable in his opinion that the time is still not right.

The celebration in the dressing room was in full swing… The team was enjoying their Cup victory when Ballon d’Or Leo Messi entered the room, and far from joining the party wanted his teammates to the give a thought for a good cause. Timid and quiet, he had to raise his voice to get their attention: “Guys… guys, one moment. I want to say something. I intend to donate all that they have given me for the construction of the new La Masia.”

For being chosen as the best player of the tournament, Messi was awarded an individual trophy, a 4-wheel drive Toyota and a wad of cash – 22,000 euros; and he is giving all of the money to the club.

It is his way of giving a little something more back to the institution that welcomed him when he was only 13. Even though Messi seldom slept at the school’s dorm, he did however live the life of a La Masia student or canteranos, by spending much of his time there.

FC Barcelona has in its future plans a new training facility at the Ciutat Esportivo and is trying to raise cash by selling some of its real-estate. Work on the new La Masia is expected to begin sometime next year.