FCBARCELONA.CAT

27.12.2007 13:46

2007: Messi’s year

Berta Brau

Messi’s progress hasn’t stopped but this past 2007 has been the year of his deification, the year in which he has been officially recognised as the second best footballer in the world.

Since he first started with the Barça first team, Leo Messi has had an almost non-stop meteoric rise. Without a doubt 2007 has seen him confirmed as one of the best of the best footballers in the world.

Messi’s statistics

Despite starting the year injured and not returning to play until February, the Argentinian forward moved in to top gear to end the year almost as good as it gets.
In 2007 Leo Messi scored a total of 19 league goals, some of which stunned the watching supporters. But what stands out in the memory are the hat trick against Real Madrid in the Nou Camp and great goals like the one against Zaragoza at home this season. The azulgrana forward finished 2007 with four goals in the Champions League and one in the King’s Cup, the ‘Maradona’ goal which was seen round the world.

A wards and recognition

These statistics and the performances of the Barça number 19 have been rewarded with international awards. On 25 November Messi received the Bravo award, a prize awarded by Guerin Sportivo to the best under-21 European footballer. The azulgrana also came third in the Balon de Oro. Messi finished the year as runner-up in the FIFA world player awards.

This has certainly been a great year for Leo Messi, a year of great statistics, great recognition and, especially, great football.