In January 2011, Lionel Messi was awarded the first-ever FIFA Ballon d’Or, beating out his Barcelona teammates Xavi and Andres Iniesta…Continue Reading
Messi finished the 2009/10 season with 47 goals across all competitions, setting a personal record at the time, and helped Barca secure the La Liga title with 99 points.
However, many argued that Andres Iniesta, who scored the decisive goal in extra time to win Spain their first World Cup, should have received the honor.
Eight years after Iniesta’s World Cup triumph, Zidane, then managing Real Madrid, expressed admiration for the Spanish midfielder as he prepared for his final El Clasico. Zidane went on to say that Iniesta truly deserved the 2010 Ballon d’Or.
Speaking ahead of kick-off, Zidane said: “It is difficult because if you like football, seeing a player like him leave is tough,” said the Real Madrid manager. “I don’t think of him as a Barcelona player. I see him simply as a football player.
“I’ve come across him two or three times and he is a charming, very reserved man and I like players who can do everything on the field but are that calm off it.
“I only have good words for him, admiration for his football and I wish him the best as a player for the future but above all, as a person.”
He added: “We’re talking about someone who made everyone dream and he deserved to win the Ballon d’Or, especially in the year he won the World Cup. It was clear then that he deserved it.”
With a respectable 17.36 per cent of the vote, Iniesta followed Messi in second place at the 2010 ceremony.
As usual, he downplayed any sense of feeling ‘wronged’ by the decision. “Ballon d’Or? The image of Xavi, Leo and me on the podium is bigger than me winning it,” he said.
“Three players from La Masia on the podium was the biggest prize, not who won it.”
Last year, he was once again asked about missing out on Ballon d’Or. “No, I don’t have a feeling of unfairness,” insisted Iniesta.
“I’m always happy when I’m nominated and yes I wanted to win this award, but not winning it does not make me sad. I am very happy with what I have achieved in my career.”
Earlier this week, the 40-year-old revealed his retirement, bringing an end to a 22-year career filled with numerous trophies.
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