Guardiola Hails Messi’s Ballon d’Or Triumph But Credits Barcelona Team Effort

Pep has lavished praise not just on Lionel but also on the Barca institution

Barcelona coach, Pep Guardiola, was a happy man after watching his young superstar, Lionel Messi crowned the 2009 Ballon d’Or winner.

While the coach had praise for the Argentine, he was also quick to point out that the club’s success over the course of the year played a vital role in ‘Little Lionel’s’ achievement.

“This is a good sign for us because it is impossible to gain these awards if the team does not win,” he told AS.

“It is an individual award which he [Messi] deserves but it is also recognition for the entire club, where there are many anonymous individuals.

“As for Messi, he is a player on another level. He is so young and yet, he already has two La Liga titles, two Champions League crowns, and the highest accolade you can get as a player.

“To be among the best, you have to master all the records and he has done that. But it must also be understood that this is a gift for him and for the team,” he stressed.

Like a consoling parent, Guardiola also reserved special mention for Xavi, who finished third in the Ballon d’Or rankings and Andres Iniesta, who came in fourth.

“France Football have recognised what they have achieved and this is a great honour,” he enthused. “My biggest wish is that Xavi and Andres understand how important their contributions are to Messi’s success, and Messi understand how vital Xavi and Iniesta are to him.”