FCBARCELONA.CAT

27.08.2009 19:17

Messi and Xavi steal the show

Jordi Clos

Players of FC Barcelona stole the limelight at the UEFA awards ceremony in Monaco on Thursday. Messi was voted best forward and best club footballer while Xavi lifted the award for best midfielder.

During the draw for the group stage of the Champions League, the awards for the best players from last season were made. As reigning European champion. Barça was well represented at the ceremony. Leo Messi was voted best club footballer of the year and Xavi the best midfielder. Unfortunately, the rest of the Barça nominees - Iniesta, Piqué, Valdés and Eto'o - failed to win an award.

Messi, the best

The award for best club footballer was the most eagerly awaited. Finally, Leo Messi’s superb season was fully compensated with two awards.

Xavi best midfielder

Xavi Hernández received the award for best midfielder from the hands of former team-mate Luis Figo. In his speech he pointed out that he has two Champions League winner’s medals: “Comparisons are never good but to win two in four years is a source of pride and we hope to win one or two more”.

Bad luck for four

Apart from Xavi and Messi, four other Barça players had been nominated: Valdés (best goalkeeper), Piqué (best defender), Iniesta (best midfielder) and Eto'o (best forward). The goalkeeping award went to Van der Sar of Manchester United and the best defender award went to Terry of Chelsea.