Intro:

Barcelona maestro Lionel Messi was named striker of the year on Friday (January 25) by the International Federation of Football History and Statistics.

Script:

SOUNDBITE (Spanish), Julio Macias, IFFHS Executive Member
"Messi has been chosen by the members, but also due to the number of goals he has scored. For this, he has been considered the most effective striker and has scored the most goals in competitive league matches. That is what has been taken into account for The Striker of the Year award."

SOUNDBITE (Spanish), Julio Macias, IFFHS Executive Member
"He is the best forward, and is great all the time and so in this moment he is definitely the best forward. If he keeps this level up, he may be named the best of the decade."

SOUNDBITE (Spanish), Julio Macias, IFFHS Executive Member
"For Argentinians, deciding who is better between Maradona and Messi, is a good question. Maradona is in our hearts because we have never seen someone with his characteristics. When Messi wins us the World Cup he will be considered better than Maradona."