Barcelona's Lionel Messi wins the Fifa Ballon d'Or

Lionel Messi was officially feted as the best soccer player in the world Monday, winning the FIFA Ballon d'Or award at a special gala in Zurich.Messi beat out fellow FC Barcelona teammates Andres Iniesta and Xavi, both of Spain, to claim the honour.

Lionel Messi holds his trophy after winning the 2010 FIFA Ballon d'Or.

The Argentine is the first repeat winner of the FIFA world player of the year award since Ronaldinho in 2004 and 2005.Messi received 22.65 per cent of the votes cast by coaches and captains of national teams plus invited journalists in polling for the award. Iniesta finished second with 17.36 per cent and Xavi received 16.48 per cent.Still, though, he was left surprised by the honour. “To be honest, I didn’t expect to win, but it was already just great to be here next to my two mates,” he said. “To win it makes it even more special” 

Still, though, there are widespread sympathy for the under-appreciated Xavi. Even Uefa president Platini had declared last month that he deserved the award but at 30, despite being chief orchestrator of his club’s domestic double and being even more influential than Iniesta, the final match-winner, in his country’s historic triumph in South Africa, it is probably too late for the great conductor now.

Another source of controversy about the awards night had been the fact that no player from any other team than Barcelona had managed to make the three-strong shortlist. Platini, for one, had been dumbfounded that Wesley Sneijder, the inspiration behind Inter Milan’s treble and Holland reaching the World Cup final, had been ignored. He came fourth, with 14.4 per cent of the vote. 

Meanwhile Brazil's Marta won a record fifth successive Women's Player of the Year award.

Ronaldo treble gives Real Madrid 4-2 win over Villarreal

                                              (couresty: en.uefa.com)

Again a exciting match took place in La Liga tonight between Real Madrid and Villarreal at Santiago Bernabéu. But ,the starting was not so good for the home side.  Cani scores a goal at 7 min to give Villarreal 1-0 lead. The Real Madrid defence seemed to poor against the attacks. But they could not save the lead. Goal from Christiano Ronaldo after 9  min made the scoreline 1-1. Villa then strengthen their  attack. It did not take time to get the result. Marko Rubben got a great ball and lofted it over the Real Madrid goal keeper Icar Cassius , leads Villarreal by 2-1.

Real Madrid then started to play their natural game. They started to play in a planned way . Strengthen their attack.  At 22 minutes, Cani got a goal but that was not given being a offside. They continued their attack. A goal from Ronaldo also  cancelled for offside. Real started attacking more and more. Villarreal striker Cani was outstanding in the field. Time to time he tried to break the RM defence. At around 37 minutes , a great effort by Marcello was defended by the Villarreal defenders.  Marcello again missed a chance before half time.  Villarreal defender fouled De Maria and Real Madrid got a free kick just outside the D Box. Ronaldo takes full uses of it and got a equaliser before the half time whistle. It was Ronaldo's 21st goal in the season.

After the half time, Real Madrid came with more energy. The 2nd half was all about a Madrid show.  It seemed that it was not the team that played 1st thirty minutes. A totally energetic game shown by the Real Madrid players. Sami Khedira came on Lass to boost the attack. Ronaldo , Marcello and Angel  Di Maria were entering  into the D box frequently. Especially   Di Maria played so well . There was none to stop him. But unfortunately he could not scored any goal. Ronaldo was testing the Villarreal defence with his speed. A shot from Khedira was defended by the goalkeeper.Tensed face were walking behind the sidelines. Villarrea player Angel got a  yellow card .After 50 minutes, a attack from De Rossi lightened the hope among Villarrea supporters . But, the attack could not get the destiny.  Benzema received a great ball from Marcello but he missed the opportunity.  A moment later , he missed a chance again.

Villarreal's Angel was substituted by Mario as he got a cramp into his leg. He was taken outside through a stretcher.  At 63 minutes , Ronaldo got the goalkeeper alone. But he totally missed out the chance. It was the best chance of the game. Kaka  came on the field after 70 minutes.

Real Madrid got the lead at 80 minutes when Cristiano Ronaldo got his Hat trick.  Just after 2 minutes, Brazilian superstar Kaka touches his leg into a pass from Ronaldo and got his 1st goal in the season . The lead raised into 4-2. Extra 4 minutes was given but it could not change the scoreline. And Real got the full point.

The scorelines of other matches are:


                Espanyol                       4 - 0      Zaragoza
                Mallorca                       4 - 1      Almeria
                Osasuna                       0 - 0      Getafe
                Racing Santander          1 - 1      Sporting Gijon
                Espanyol                      4 - 0      Zaragoza(Half time)

Real Madrid beats Getafe 3-2 on Kaka's return

Smiling Kaka...so much happy with his return

Brazilian superstar Kaka returns as Real Madrid wins a 3-2 derby  at Getafe. It was though  a tough match for Real Madrid.Di Maria got the penalty at 8 min.Cristiano Ronaldo took the shot and a goal from Mesut Ozil put Madrid 2-0 up within 19 minutes, Real leads 2-0. but ,the match was not a one sided.

Excellent individual effort from Daniel Parejo gave hope  for the home side.He scored at 29th min for the home.  Portuguese star got his 2nd at 56 minutes when he got a great pass from Benzema. It was his 19th goal in the season. 

Cristiano Ronaldo is now the highest goal scorer in the La Liga, Messi with 17 goals after him.It was 60th goal for Ronaldo in Real Madrid. It is the best start among all Real Madrid newcomers including the great Alfredo Di Stéfano


After 80 minutes, Real Madrid player Alvaro Arbeloa got his 2nd yellow card .Few minutes later, with Juan Albin's 84th minute goal,Getafe strenthened their attack but couldn't get the equalizer.
The most important thing is that Kaka returns after a long time since surgery on his left knee Aug. 5.Coach Jose Mourinho says Kaka is not close to starting but can give the team 15 to 20 minutes of excellent play. It took 8 months for Kaka to join the team. He came on for Benzema at 75 min. . Kaka says "I've had some tough times and the things I've missed the most are the team get-together, training with my team-mates, being with them in the dressing room, playing before our supporters... I lacked the joy I get from playing. I'm available now and I will do my best to play with joy again....."


Mourinho also says that injured striker Gonzalo Higuain will have to undergo surgery. Higuain has been out for the past month with a back injury. 

Real Madrid next La Liga match is against Villarreal at Santiago Bernabéu ,Madrid on 10th Jan at 1.00 A.M.