Fans in Europe show how much they love FC Barcelona star Eric Abidal.



Éric Abidal has been named in the uefa.com users' Team of the Year 2007. The website revealed the 11 best players over the past 12 months. The event, which started in 2001, has remained the same with the website nominating 60 players and users then vote for their favourite eleven. The vote was cast by uefa.com readers, who were given a choice of several players in each position, and the Barça full-back won his place after 3.5million votes were made by 277,985 users. Abidal was the only Barca player picked by the voters.


UEFA Champions League winners, AC Milan, led the way with three players as Kaká, Alessandro Nesta and Clarence Seedorf were included. Liverpool saw Steven Gerrard named, while Chelsea have John Terry and Didier Drogba included. The other players in the team are Iker Casillas (Real Madrid), Dani Alves (Sevilla), Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United) and Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Inter), while Sir Alex Ferguson was voted in as manager.

The last has not been heard of the bullish run by the Blues.


After Chelsea's talisman, Didier Drogba stirred the hornet's nest by suggesting he should move to FC Barcelona, the English media have taken over from the Ivorien and sold firstly Ronaldinho, then now Lionel Messi to the Stamford Bridge team in exchange for their top marksman, Drogba. A new entrant in the British press transfer market is now FIFA Best Player for 2008, Kaka of AC Milan. Lionel Messi is the second best player in the world as declared by an official FIFA vote last month, and the gifted left-footer is being coverted by many clubs including Chelsea FC. With a growing interest of Didier Drogba leaning toward FC Barcelona, there's mounting pressure on the officials at Camp Nou to take step toward realizing Drogba's dreams over the summer. No official word has been heard from the Catalan giants, but of course, a deal to sell Messi is non-negotiable, just as much as a deal to sell someone line creative Andres Iniesta who Chelsea also find very suitable for their campaign in 2008/09 season.


This wave of news, rumours and insinuation is a sure appetizer toward the forthcoming European transfer season in Summer this year!

FC Barcelona's troubled super star is relaxing in Brazil and trying to get his life back together before the break is over.


Caught up by the press while in the South American continent, Ronaldinho expressed his admiration for talented clubmate, Lionel Messi who was second best player in the world for 2007, behind Kaka of AC Milan. Ronnie was happy that magical Messi had at long last, been officially recognized by the world of football for his outstanding skills. Ronaldinho, who himself has won the best player award twice in the past, was happy for Barca superstar Messi:

I always wish he best for Messi. Before the world player of the year event, I wished him luck, and to tell him to enjoy such a special moment. Then I congratulated him for the prize that he'd won. I always say that Lionel is like a younger brother.

Ronaldinho spoke on the dilemma he was in during the selction for the FIFA 2007 world player of the year award, which had two of his great friends among the top three nominees. FC Barcelona clubmate, Lionel Messi and Brazilian national teammate, Kaka.

Kaka is a great friend and excellent player. I was wanting both to do well. In addition to their sporting qualities, they're both friends. My heart was equally divided on who to support.

Casting his mind back on his first appearance in the newspaper, Ronaldinho reflects with nostalgia:

I was just 13 years old, and I'd scored 23 goals in one game. I have it because my sister Daisy keeps everything that's been published about me. I think only of playing football - that's what makes me happy, be it in Brazil, Barcelona, or San Luis.

FC Barcelona youthful star Messi shines at world stage.


Although AC Milan's Kaka won the 2007 FIFA World Player of The Year Award, the Brazilian was praised along with Argentine and Barca marvel, Lionel Messi and third placed Cristiano Ronaldo of Manchester United. Kaka polled 1,047 votes ahead of Messi's 504 votes and Ronaldo's 426. Chelsea's Didier Drogba was vote fourth, while another FC Barcelona super star, Ronaldinho was voted fifth.


Kaka was commended by legend, Pele, who handed the award over to the winner. Pele also recognized the skills of Lionel Messi, as the great scorer of over 1,000 career goals said of the Barca star:

Lionel Messi has played some great football this year.

Lionel Messi was also voted the third best player in Europe.

Kaka was voted Balon 'd Or winner, while Messi is among top three favourites for FIFA World Player of The Year Award.


AC Milan's Kaka has won the Balon d'Or 2007, making him the best player in Europe for the year, while FC Barcelona star Lionel Messi was third, but received lots of media highlights and recognition. Indeed, the rumour mills have finally been put to rest with the announcement of the first three winers of the Balon d'Or. Brazilian Kaka came out top with 444 votes in the French publication’s highly regarded award that has been held annually since 1956. Portuguese star Christiano Ronaldo of Manchester United was second with 277 votes while Barca's Lionel Messi came third with 255 votes, just 22 less than the Manchester United ace. All three players have been shortlisted for the 2007 FIFA World Player of The Year Award, with Kaka and Lionel Messi being the top two favourites to win the award this year.


Five other Barça players featured among the finalists, namely Ronaldinho, Henry, Eto'o, Deco and Abidal, with the Brazilian finishing highest in eleventh place. Arsenal’s former Barça youth player, Cesc Fábregas, finished eighth, making him the highest ranked Spaniard.