Lionel Messi wins Goal 50

The Barcelona forward says he is
"very excited" after topping our
annual list of the world's most
outstanding players for the the
third time
Lionel Messi has won the Goal 50
award for the world’s best footballer
after another record-breaking season.
The Argentinian forward claims the
title for the third time in recognition of
an incredible campaign during which
he beat Gerd Muller’s 40-year-old
record of 85 goals scored in a
calendar year.
The 26-year old scored 91 goals in
2012 and increased his total as
Barcelona’s all-time top scorer to 313
goals in all competitions by the end of
the season.
Messi struck in his 19th consecutive La
Liga game in March 2013, becoming
the first footballer in history to score
in consecutive matches against every
team in a major professional league.
After receiving the trophy from Goal's
Barcelona correspondent Pilar Suarez
at the club's training ground, Messi
said: "I'm very excited about this. As
players, we work the entire year to
win honours for the team, we don't
look for the individual awards, but
when they come it's an incentive and
gives us strength to continue on the
same path."
The Goal 50 is regarded as one of the
most credible and respected awards
in sport because it is chosen by the
world’s biggest football website.
Voting takes place at the end of
domestic and international seasons
for the majority of countries.
More than 500 Goal journalists from
around the world vote to select their
top 50 players, giving a truly global
view.
Messi heads this year's list in front of
second-placed Franck Ribery, who
helped European champions Bayern
Munich win an historic treble. Last
year’s winner Cristiano Ronaldo is
third.
Commenting on the results, Graham
Shaw, Editorial Director, said: “Messi
had a spectacular season and it is
incredible to think he has achieved so
much by the age of 26. His award this
year takes him past Cristiano Ronaldo
to a record three Goal 50 titles and
recognises the individual brilliance of
a player who is rightly recognised by
some as the greatest of all time.”