Lionel Messi stands on brink of greatness

Abu Dhabi: The football world has never doubted the skill and class of Lionel Messi. But it was his character that shone on Saturday when after a frustrating first half during which he was booked for diving, the Barcelona forward produced a moment of magic, not from his feet or his head, but from his chest to lift his team to a historic triumph.

Messi was struggling, and so was his team, as Estudiantes never allowed them to utilise their short passing game.

But just when it was growing extremely frustrating, Pedro threw them a lifeline with an 89th minute strike and Messi managed to stay focused and then did what he usually does — score.

A goal that broke the deadlock for his team against Atlante in the semifinals, and Saturday's winner in the second period of extra time earned him the Golden Ball and Player of the Tournament awards — awards that along with the Ballon D'Or confirm him as one of the greatest footballers in the world.

That greatness is likely to be further ratified today in Zurich when votes from national team coaches and captains will reveal the Fifa World Player. Messi is the favourite with fellow Barca players Andreas Iniesta and Xavi along with 2008 winner Cristian Ronaldo and 2007 winner Kaka.

‘Happy'

"I'm extremely happy. We've just ended a historic year, a perfect year in which we've won every competition we've played in. We just needed to take this last step and everything has worked out how we wanted. It's amazing. It's difficult to put into words," Messi told Fifa.com soon after the win.

"It was unfinished business for Barcelona and we put it right today. The fact we had to work hard to win it too makes it even more special," he added.

Commenting on the final, he said: "It was very tough. I couldn't get into the game or find my place. We all had that problem, though, and that's because we were playing a great side who were extremely well organised, who knew what they were doing, and who almost stuck it out to the final whistle. Unfortunately for them though, we got the goal right at the end."

"If Pedro hadn't scored, then I wouldn't have had the chance to score mine. I'm delighted at getting the winner but I'm even happier at winning the cup with this group of players," he said.

Messi, who received the Golden Ball as well as the keys to a Toyota after being named player of the tournament, said: "It's nice to get that recognition of course, but it's something I want to share with my teammates. I couldn't have won an award like this without them."

Awards

Golden Ball: Lionel Messi of Barcelona
Silver Ball: Juan Veron of Estudiantes
Bronze Ball: Xavi of Barcelona
Fair Play Award: Atlante of Mexico

Final placing

Winners: FC Barcelona, Spain
Runners-up: Estudiantes de La Plata, Argentina
Third: Pohang Steelers, South Korea
Fourth: Atlante, Mexico
Fifth: Auckland City FC, New Zealand
Sixth: TP Mazembe, Democratic Republic of Congo
Seventh: Al Ahli, Dubai, UAE

Top scorer:Denilson of Pohang Steelers (Four goals)