Messi Congratulates Spain, Confirmed As The Last FIFA World Player of the Year

Argentine soccer player Lionel Messi congratulated the Spanish national soccer team for having won the FIFA World Cup 2010 and adding that they “deserve it” and that, interestingly, Spain represents his “second country”, reports his Asian blog, Xinhua.

Messi said on that blog: “I want to congratulate with all my heart the Spanish team for the World Championship, very deserved.” I am really happy for my mates of the (Spanish club) FC Barcelona, for the rest of the Spanish team and for all the Spaniards,” Messi said. Messi added that “after so many years living in Barcelona and after our (Argentina) elimination, my support was for Spain, for being my second country; I could not stop congratulating all the Spaniards. Congratulations!”

Messi is understood to be flying to the location of a charity based exhibition match which features ‘Messi and Friends’ such as fellow World Cup Argentine forward, Martin Palermo. Shortly after this event, Leo will return to Barcelona to start pre-season preparations for the upcoming 2010/2011 season.

Additionally, it has been confirmed that the end of year Ballon D’or and FIFA World Player of the Year awards have been merged, which means that Lionel Messi was the last ever winner of both these awards which he scooped in 2009.