Even prior to winning the record fifth Ballon d’Or trophy on Monday, lionel Messi’s intentions were quite clear. The mercurial Barcelona star said he would always be ready to trade the World Player award trophy for a World Cup.
Before the awards were presented this is what all the three nominees — lionel Messi, Neymar (both Barcelona) and Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid) — assembled had to say:
lionel Messi
When asked which was the greatest moment of his year was, “It’s hard to say,” Messi said while laughing.
It is understandable after Barcelona won almost everything in 2015.
When asked will he swap the Ballon d’Or trophies for FIFA World Cup, the little Argentinean said: “Obviously the World Cup. It’s the maximum. Definitely.”
Messi was then posed the question on whether Neymar will soon be his successor at Barcelona. But the forward said he wanted Neymar to have his own identity instead of following in his footsteps.
Then came the obvious question — what did Messi feel about the rivalry between him and RonaldoIJ Was he jealous of any of Ronaldo’s strengthsIJ “I don’t feel envy,” Messi explained. “That’s a negative trait. I like Cristiano. I am the way I am. He is the way he is.”
Cristiano Ronaldo
The Portuguese star termed the Ballon d’Or as ‘Special award.’
“You work hard to achieve great things. Not just collective, but individual,” Ronaldo added. “It’s my eighth time her. It’s special.”
The 30-year-old was then asked about his love for the no.7 shirt and he told the press about the story of how he got the shirt at Manchester United.
“When I arrived at Man United, I asked for 28 but the coach said ‘No, you will wear 7’,” Ronaldo explained. “I was petrified as I knew [David] Beckham wore that shirt.
But I took on the challenge and since then it has been my lucky number. I have won everything in football with that shirt.”On 2015, he said:
“I am happy with my season.”
Neymar
When the Barcelona forward — currently leads the Spanish la liga goal scoring charts (alongside luis Suarez) with 15 goals — asked about sharing the stage with both Messi and Ronaldo, Neymar said: “I’m very pleased to be here alongside two great players. I think they are absolutely the best, that’s why they’re here.”
Neymar continued his praise for both Messi and Ronaldo, saying: “I think they’ve made history. Both lionel and Cristiano.”
On his achievements in the past year, he said: “I’m pleased with the things I have achieved, the goals I have scored. I thank my teammates for that.”