Messi wants World Cup

Barcelona and Argentina star Lionel Messi admits that he would gladly swap his Ballon d’Or awards for a World Cup title with his country.Messi capped off an amazing record-breaking year which saw him score 91 goals in 2012 by surpassing yet another one when he landed his fourth consecutive Ballon d’Or award on Monday, edging out Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo and his Barcelona team mate Andres Iniesta.Despite having already won the La Liga, Copa del Rey, Champions League and the Club Word Cup with Barcelona to add to his Ballon d’Or titles, the Argentine revealed that he still yearns for glory at the international level.
Messi was quoted as saying in The Sun: “Winning the World Cup is what is missing. The truth is, yes, I would swap a Ballon D’Or for the World Cup, I’ve always felt like that. Nothing compares with being world champion.”I want to achieve things with Barcelona and with my country, which I’ve always said is my dream.”
Messi was criticised earlier in his career for not playing his best for his country but his form last year suggested otherwise; Messi scored 12 goals for Argentina – the joint most goals in a calender year for the country along with Gabriel Batistuta, while guiding La Albiceleste to the top of the South American qualifiers for the 2014 World Cup as captain.The 25-year-old was delighted with the progress of the national team and hopes that their performance will convince the fans to show their support for them.
“Last year I was welcomed back home in a spectacular way because the people are now behind the national team.” he added, “It had been a long time that this chemistry had been lost and I am happy we finished the year so well.”To see people talking well of the national team is different to see criticism from everywhere before you even set foot back. That hurts.
“We are working hard to give the people of Argentina the best, and many joys. Today, you can see the unity. That makes Argentina stronger.
“We know we are on the right track but we need to continue growing as a team.”Messi also vowed that he will not rest on his laurels and there will be more to come from him.
The Argentina wizard said: “It makes me so happy that many important people talk well of me.”Each year my objective is to grow, not to stay with what I have. As for what I don’t know, I want to try and learn and get better.”He also dedicated his Ballon d’Or win to Eric Abidal and Tito Vilanova, who battled successfully with liver and gland cancer respectively to make a comeback onto the pitch, as well as his wife and newborn son.
He said: “I’d like to share this award with Tito and Abidal. It was a tough blow for all what happened to them and to see them now working with us again makes me so happy. And my partner and son who give me the most beautiful feelings life has to offer.”
(Source: Sports.bangladesh/ESPNSTAR)

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