By Ricki Romero
Leo Messi is quite clear about who he won’t vote for in the Ballon d’Or: Cristiano Ronaldo.
The Argentinean star revealed his thoughts in an interview with newspaper ‘Sport’: “Last year I voted for Xavi, Iniesta and Kun Agüero, in that order. I reckon I’ll do the same this year. I haven’t thought about it yet, but I think it’ll be more or less the same. Xavi and Iniesta will be there, but I’m undecided between Higuaín, Di María and Agüero”.
The journalist then pointed out that the two Real Madrid players are not on the short list of 23 for the prize and Messi concludes that, in that case his third vote, “will be for Kun”.
Messi talked more about Ronaldo to Mundo Deportivo, describing him as “a truly great player, who I don’t know personally, but is one of the best in the world”.
Asked if he was bothered that fans of opposing teams sang Cristiano Ronaldo’s name he said no. “It doesn’t bother me. It’s normal that the rival fans try and put you off”. The journalist then suggested that if Cristiano responds to these criticisms he only achieves the opposite effect Leo responded, “exactly”.
Turning to Pepe and Mourinho the Argentinean had little to say. Pepe, who stood on Messi’s hand in one of the many Clásicos the two have disputed, is according to Messi a “great defender” and Mou is “an outstanding coach”. He had more to say about Casillas: “He’s one of the best keepers in the world, as has been shown by everything he’s won. I can’t talk about what he’s like as a person though, because I only know him for what he’s done on the pitch”.
From his own team he also spoke about David Villa: “There was quite a fuss after our heated debate (on the pitch during the Granada game), but obviously it was all forgotten about after the game. We get on well, like the rest of the dressing room. He’s a great guy, who doesn’t argue with anyone… it’s hard for someone with his character to have a fight. People talk too much about what happened, there’s no issue there”.
The Argentinean also defended himself against accusations that he gets along badly with his teammates, because of his character. “A small dictator? It doesn’t matter what people say, my teammates know I’m not”, he told ‘Sport’. The newspaper’s front cover also reveals that when people talk about him being God or the Messiah he prefers to stay out of it.
He also talks about Neymar, saying that “when good players play together, the more the better”. And finally his impending fatherhood: “It’s the most beautiful thing that will happen to me in my life”.
