Thiago: Messi should claim top prize

Barcelona midfielder Thiago Alcantara believe his team-mate Lionel Messi should win the FIFA Ballon d'Or.

Argentina international Messi is up against Barca team-mate Xavi Hernandez and Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo for the annual FIFA award, and the 20-year-old feels the South American deserves the title.

"Leo Messi deserves the Ballon d'Or ahead of Xavi and Cristiano Ronaldo. It's a pleasure playing alongside him," the Spain international told Marca.

Thiago has made big strides under Barca coach Pep Guardiola, and is eager to progress further as a player during the next 12 months.

"In 2012 I want to continue working, learning from my peers, and continue the work of recent years," he said.

Barcelona have been drawn against Osasuna in the Copa del Rey last 16, with the first leg to take place on Wednesday, and Thiago feels his side are in the right physical condition to get a victory.

"We are alright, have no problems, and we are perfectly in order to play against Osasuna," he said.

MESSI ARRIVES AT THE 25

For any other player, scored 25 goals on the season overall figure represents a more than satisfactory, a bright line on the resume, an excellent card. But Leo Messioperates under different rules. The numbers used to measure the performance of the players fall short to measure the presence of the Argentine, who last night returned to San Siro to keep your appointment with a goal: it adds 25 this year, in the 20 games he has played, has not yet begun when the month of December.
The data multiplies the figure of the ‘crack’ Argentine, who continues in his attempt to become the top scorer in the history of the club.It will sooner or later: for now, accumulating 205 goals and is 30 of the legendary record of Caesar, who still heads the list of historic 235.
This season, Messi can claim to have scored more goals than the games he has played in both League and the Champions. In European competition remains the leading scorer, tied with Bayern Munich striker Mario Gomez. Both have scored six goals in five matches so far and their teams have already qualified for the knockout stages as group winners.
The Milan was almost round match for Leo, who beat another personal best, never had marked an Italian team (although he had scored in Italy, in a special match like the Champions League final in Rome, before the Manchester United in 2009) and yesterday, from the penalty spot, removed the thorn but the referee spun fine and passed the `paradinha what was removed from the sleeve to deceive the Milan goal. The goal from the spot also became the best scorer in the history of South America European competitions, tied with Claudio Pizarro, both with 44 goals in UEFA tournaments.
Each party, Messi insatiable insists on another record, another brand, another record. Last night, in a scene so iconic as San Siro, scored win number 200 as a Barcaplayer in 289 games. With 25 goals in 20 games he has played this season (no less than an average of 1.25 goals per game), Messi is ready to beat his best scorer, corresponding to the last year, when total competition reached the 53 goals. The current season has not yet come to Ecuador, or the League or the Champions, and Messi and presented a card with 25 notches. If you keep your progression, could rub the 60 goals and even reach the 235 this year many of Caesar.
In just three months of competition, Messi has matched the best figure in the overall scoring a season which was his great reference when it came to the first team. Ronaldinho, Barcelona and Milan’s ex signed 25 goals in the 2005-06 season, his best year as a player Blaugrana, which won the Champions League and in Paris.
Against Milan, Messi also drew a walk his role as assistant. He started the play of the first goal, putting an inside pass to Keita that ended in the own goal from Mark van Bommel. It marked the second and was instrumental in the third, when he leaked a great pass into space to Xavi input from the balcony of the area. Terrassa midfielder sealed the game for the club and multiplied the value of the assistance of Leo, who has given ten assists this season. Besides leading scorer, Messi is also the most decisive pin Barca this season.

BARCA TO WIN WITH ROTATIONS

Barca now plays three vital points on the pulse by the League with Real Madrid, but Pep Guardiola does not forget that on Wednesday, plays another decisive match against Milan in the fight to end as group winners of the Champions.

Therefore, the Santpedor bet on rotations to align the players who are better and they do not run the risk of losing the match against the Italians as a result of accumulated fatigue by international commitments.

Sure who will be in the starting lineup is Leo Messi. The Argentine came with a dual commitment notable fatigue with Argentina, but the rest came in handy Thursday, retrieved and transmitted forces Guardiola his desire to play against Zaragoza. The technician will take into account the determination of the crack and now has the job locked in the up front.

In attack, the young Isaac Basin has many papers to accompany him. Alexis Sanchez is discarded only after participating in training and have forced the machine to Chile, so the Reus is the best candidate to fill the right wing. The third front will come between Villa and Cesc.

The `Guaje did you participate in 180 minutes with the selection, whereas Fabregasdid not play full games either, nor to England nor against Costa Rica. Iniesta is in a situation similar to Villa. He gave a great performance cona selection, but also accumulated many minutes.

In midfield, Keita has emerged as the holder and defensive midfielder who has worked all week at the Ciutat Esportiva. Xavi, who arrived less loaded than the other international points to eleven, with Thiago, who has also enjoyed more time to recover.

In defense, Abidal will rest as it is fixed for Milan in the absence of Alves, suspended, and Adriano, who did not arrive in time to San Siro due to muscle injury suffered inBrazil. Guardiola could opt today for a line of four with Alves, Piqué, Puyol partner and Maxwell covering the left flank.