Despite congratulating the Real Madrid forward for
winning the Ballon d'Or, the Blaugrana coach insists that his Argentina
international remains the top dog
Gerardo Martino remains convinced that Barcelona have the
best player in the world in Lionel Messi, despite Cristiano Ronaldo's Ballon d'Or
win on Monday.
The Real Madrid attacker pipped the four-time victor to
the Fifa trophy by garnering 27.99 per cent of the vote compared to Messi's
24.72% and Ribery's 23.36%.
The Camp Nou coach stressed the difference between the
greatest player over 12 months and the best overall, but applauded Ronaldo
nonetheless for receiving more votes than Messi for the first time in five
years.
"Congratulations to Cristiano Ronaldo, the Ballon
d'Or recognises what he achieved last year," Martino told reporters, ahead
of the Catalans' Copa del Rey second-leg last-16 tie at Getafe on Wednesday.
"It is one thing for a player to be the best in one
year, though, and another for being the best in the world. We have the best
player [Messi] here."
The Argentine trainer also heralded Marc Bartra after it
was confirmed on Wednesday that the defender was to be given a new contract
until 2017 at the club.
"The renewal of Bartra is great news," Martino
continued. "He is a young footballer who is really improving."
Barca hold a 4-0 advantage over Getafe heading into
Thursday's cup clash, with qualification from the round ensuring a
quarter-final game against either Rayo Vallecano or Levante later this month.
Culled from Goal
