Lionel Messi

Rafael Nadal: "Lionel Messi is best football player on the planet"

ATP Mens Tennis (Free subscription) | yesterday

"Yes, I am fan of Barcelona too. You can write it. And light it, please, because the club Barcelona always have treated me wonderfully and I feel like I'm one of the family. I love the club and I know that the affection is mutual, " he explained while signing a Barcelona shirt.Real Madrid is not having a good time these last few weeks? Rafa was asked..."Look, let me tell you one thing. Recently, I...

'Ronaldo can't be grouped with Pele, Cruyff'

IOL (Free subscription) | 12 hours ago

If Lionel Messi was given the same platform as Cristiano Ronaldo, Messi could easily show why he is superior to the Manchester United winger, writes James Lawton.

Man. City to break transfer record, Independent says

Deseret Morning News (Free subscription) | 03/12/2008

Manchester City's owners want to sign a world superstar in January's transfer window, with Kaka and Lionel Messi among their targets, the Independent said, citing a source it didn't name.

Messi prefers central forward spot

footy247 (Free subscription) | 03/12/2008

Lionel Messi surprised with his statement of preferring the center role more than the winger one. With Eto suspended, we just may see him there. "We all know whats Samuel capable of. Scores goals in almost every match and also plays good while doing so. "I play where boss tell me to, but when I come through the center I have more contact with the ball and more input on the game," said the read more...

Wednesday's football transfer rumours: Manchester City want Kaka and Lionel Messi

The Guardian (Free subscription) | 03/12/2008

There are some headlines that can't help but get the Mill all flustered on a Wednesday morning. " Southend in £150m bid for Ronaldo ", for example, or " Houllier returns to Anfield and hopes to re-sign Djimi ". Neither of those were to be found in today's red-tops, but the following words printed in BIG BOLD FONT did seem the sort of thing we'd be interested in: "Cech discusses Chelsea rumours". Imagine...

Exclusive: Mega names key to City's £70m transfer plan

The Independent (Free subscription) | 03/12/2008

Manchester City's wealthy Arab owners are determined to try to land a "world superstar" in the January transfer window and have drawn up a list of targets, headed by Kaka and Lionel Messi. The other names that have been discussed are Fernando Torres, Carlos Tevez, Cristiano Ronaldo and Samuel Eto'o, with the Abu Dhabi United Group prepared to pay upwards of £70m for a top-name signing to add to their...

Ronaldo best in Europe

The Telegraph India (Free subscription) | 02/12/2008

When considering the evidence for the European Footballer of the Year honour announced Tuesday morning, the case for Cristiano Ronaldo had appeared irresistible for those who follow the Premier League and Champions League closely. Fernando Torres and Lionel Messi offered strong claims to the Ballon d'Or but, for this member of the voting panel, Ronaldo stood out.

Football : Ballon d'Or will make me better, vows football star Ronaldo

euronews24 (Free subscription) | 02/12/2008

Ronaldo beat Barcelona's Lionel Messi and Liverpool striker Fernando Torres to the honour on the back of a phenomenal 2007-08 season in which he scored 42 goals for his Premier League and Champions League-winning club.The 23-year-old dismissed sugge

Cristiano Ronaldo crowned European Player of the Year

footy247 (Free subscription) | 02/12/2008

There was no upset today as runaway favourite Cristiano Ronaldo won the prestigious Ballon D’Or beating off competition from Lionel Messi and Fernando Torres. Ronaldo was a clear winner receiving 446 points, compared to second placed Messi with 281 points and third place Torres with 179 points. read more

Ronaldo named Europe's top player

allvoices (Free subscription) | 02/12/2008

Cristiano Ronaldo has been crowned European Footballer of the Year by France Football magazine. Ronaldo, 23, won the prestigious Ballon d'Or trophy after scoring 42 goals as Manchester United won the Champions League and Premier League last season. Barcelona forward Lionel Messi was second and Liverpool striker Fernando Torres was third. Wayne Rooney, Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard were also in...

Morning Ticker: Ronaldo wins Ballon d'Or, Real targets Huntelaar and Everton eyeing Larsson

Soccer By Ives (Free subscription) | 02/12/2008

Manchester United midfielder Cristiano Ronaldo added another honor to his impressive trophy haul on Monday when he was named winner of the prestigious Ballon d'Or, awarded to the best player in Europe. Ronaldo (446 points in the voting) easily out-distanced second place finisher Lionel Messi (281 points) and third-place Fernando Torres (179 points). Iker Casillas (133) and Xavi (97) rounded out the...

Torres third in Ballon d'Or vote

Liverpool FC - LFC Online (Free subscription) | 02/12/2008

As expected, Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo has won the Ballon d'Or, but Fernando Torres came a respectable third behind Lionel Messi, and Steven Gerrard was 10th.

• Torres third in Ballon d'Or vote - LFC Online

Ronaldo named Europes top player

footy247 (Free subscription) | 02/12/2008

Manchester United winger Cristiano Ronaldo is crowned European Footballer of the Year ahead of Lionel Messi and Fernando Torres.

Ronaldo confirmed as best in world

TEAMtalk (Free subscription) | 02/12/2008

Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo was on Tuesday confirmed as the winner of the 2008 Ballon d'Or ahead of Lionel Messi and Fernando Torres.

Ronaldo named Europe's top player

BBC Sport (Free subscription) | 02/12/2008

Manchester United winger Cristiano Ronaldo is crowned European Football of the Year ahead of Lionel Messi and Fernando Torres.