FCBARCELONA.CAT

02.12.2007 13:44

Messi third best in Europe

David Puig

Leo Messi has finished third in the voting for the Balon d’Or 2007, which was won by Brazilian Kaká of AC Milan. Messi got 255 votes, 22 fewer than Manchester United’s Cristiano Ronaldo, who came second.

France Football magazine has announced the expected results of the Balon d’Or award for 2007, with Brazilian Kaka coming out top in the French publication’s highly regarded award that has been held annually since 1956. He got 444 votes, while Messi came third with 255 votes, narrowly edged by Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo of Manchester United who got 277.

Five Barça finalists

Five other Barça players featured among the finalists, namely Ronaldinho, Henry, Eto'o, Deco and Abidal, with the Brazilian finishing highest in eleventh place. Arsenal’s former Barça youth player, Cesc Fábregas, finished eighth, making him the highest ranked Spaniard.

Messi gets global recognition

Leo Messi may not have collected the main honour, but this third place nevertheless shows that his amazing talents have caught the world’s attention. This week, the Argentinian was shortlisted for the FIFA World Player 2007 award along with Cristiano Ronaldo and Kaká. On Sunday 25 November, Messi received the Bravo Award from Italian magazine Guerin Sportivo for the best European footballer aged 21 or under.