Lionel Messi 'proud and honored' to top Goal.com 50

Posted Tuesday, August 23, 2011 by YAHOO Sport

Lionel Messi says he is "proud and honored" to top the Goal.com 50 list of the best soccer players in the world in 2010-11.

Messi is the undisputed winner in Goal.com’s countdown, with Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo coming in second place. Messi's Barca teammates Xavi and Andres Iniesta finished third and fourth, respectively, in a La Liga-dominated top four.

“To win the Goal.com 50 makes me proud and honored,” Messi told Goal.com. “I thank all of Goal.com’s staff and the millions of readers who have always given me so much affection.

The Argentine forward, who topped the countdown in 2008-09 as Barca claimed an historic treble of Primera Division, Copa del Rey and Champions League titles, came second last year to Inter playmaker Wesley Sneijder.

In 2010-11, however, he sealed his return to top spot by netting 53 times from his usual starting spot as a ‘false’ No. 9, leading Barca to a third consecutive Primera Division title and a second Champions League success in three years.

“This makes me very happy and gives me more strength to continue working with humility for my club and my beloved national team. Thank you very much,” Messi said.

Leo’s father, Jorge, also expressed his delight at the accolade, exclaiming to Goal.com, “This is amazing for us, we never expected it."

“For Lionel, of course, it won’t change his life and he doesn’t like to give too much importance to this type of thing, but to be chosen as the best of the top 50 best players is something very important and has left him on a real high,” Jorge added.

Messi becomes the first player to win the Goal.com 50 twice.