A close worked study has show that Cristiano Ronaldo has been overtaken in the race for being the most talked about footballer in the world.
An ESI study, or known as Economics, Sports and Intangibles, reported these findings and they were reported that although he was talked about more his value wasn’t as high, Ronaldo is apparently worth €96 million, Messi €80 million and Liverpools Fernando Torres is worth €67 million.
The media value honor will certainly contribute to Messi’s chances of winning the Ballon D’Or, an award whose panel is made up of journalists, and is a perfect present for him as the results of the study were released just a day after he turned 22 on Wednesday.
No question about it, Lionel Messi wants to be more successful than last season, to do this he must target domestic and international glory next summer.
In the 2008 season he played a major role in the clubs success with a fantastic strike and assist rate, if he continues to build on this, he is sure to be crowned the worlds best player.
Asked what two sporting wishes he had to celebrate his 22nd birthday today, Messi told El Mundo Deportivo: “There are two: On one hand, I want Barca to give more joy to their fans, with more titles. And on the other, that in 2010 Argentina win the World Cup which everyone is yearning for.”
Messi was realistic about the chances of Barca repeating their success from this season, though, saying: “We can dream of winning another treble, but it will be difficult.”
Messi also reiterated his hope to play alongside his Argentina captain Javier Mascherano at Barca next season.
Liverpool midfielder Mascherano is one of the players Barca are being linked with this summer and Messi would love to have the 25-year-old as a team-mate at both international and club level.
“Of course, who wouldn’t like to share a team with great players like Javier. I hope he comes,” said Messi, who insisted he is not concerned about Barca’s lack of activity in the transfer market so far this summer.
“No, not in the slightest. We have a team that has won three titles. That makes us one of the best and right now nobody can deny that,” he added.
Possibly the best player in the world has launched a second appeal to bring Javier Mascherano to Barcelona. Lionel, previously hinted earlier in the month that the signing of Javier would be fantastic, but no move has happened as of yet.
Rafa Benitez has apparently put a £50million value on Javier, but it seems any price will be rejected. But the international counterpart has told him to pack his bags and Liverpool for Barca.
Messi insisted: “I would like him to join, who would not want to play with great players like Javier? I hope he can come here.”
Meanwhile, Messi also had a pop at big-spending rivals Real Madrid, who have forked out nearly £150m to sign Manchester United’s Cristiano Ronaldo and Kaka from AC Milan.
Messi, 22, added: “It seems that Real Madrid are building a good team – but we already have one and will see if we can continue.”
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