The player, first Argentine to achieve this distinction, was surprised by the advantage gained over his rivals: "I had to impose, by a margin so important," he said, because nobody had done until now so bloated advantage compared to runner-up.
Argentine striker Leo Messi, FC Barcelona, the newly Ballon d'Or 2009, considered an "honor" to have achieved the prestigious award given by France Football magazine gala, noting that, though he knew it was among the favorites, in no case was expected to enjoy the support of many members of the jury.
Messi, who said he felt "great emotion" by the news, highlighted the "honor" of not only receiving the award, but also be the first Argentine to make it.
Asked if she was surprised to rise as the best player in the world in this prestigious vote, Messi admitted that "he knew who was among the favorites," especially by the "successful" year for FC Barcelona in a matter of degrees. "But we had to impose, by a margin so important", adds, because nobody had done until now so bloated advantage over the second classified. Messi managed 473 of the 480 possible points, well ahead of the 233 points scored Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo, who was in second place.
"The Golden Ball is very important to me. All those who are great players have won. And some large they have not even won, "he added. The Rosary star dedicated his award to his family and everyone who has been at his side when it's needed.
Regarding the difficult situation experienced by Argentina football selection for his classification''in extremis''for the world, Messi said he never doubted that this access eventually occur. So he was "confident" despite "difficulties" encountered in the access phase. "I knew we'd be in the world.
Looking ahead, Messi said he will not be "easy" to repeat a year as the living, although he hoped to follow the same path of success so far. "But getting the Golden Ball award two years straight is not easy ..."