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.

50 Players have been shortlisted for the 2007 France Football Player of the Year Award, with FC Barcelona and AC Milan topping with six players each..


FC Barcelona tops with the most number of players on the list of France Football's top 50 players of the year, underlining the world class nature of the Blaugrana players. The prestigous magazine made additions to the list to include Inter Milan's Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Roma's Francesco Totti. Votes are cast by the magazine's correspondents. See all the 50 players and choose your own star who you feel should win the Ballon d'Or.


France Football World Player of The Year List Published.

Barcelona players come out tops among the world's best.


With seven players nominated on the shortlist for the 2007 FIFA World Player of the Year with the winner being announced at a ceremony on December 17, FC Barcelona are the team with the most number of players nominated for the event. 7 out of the 30-man list to win the award as the most impressive player over the past 12 months are players from Barca. They are Thierry Henry, Lilian Thuram, Rafa Márquez, Deco, Samuel Eto'o, Lionel Messi and Ronaldinho are the seven names from Barça that have been chosen for the award by a FIFA committee. Now the coaches and captains of 208 national teams will vote for their top three favourites. Only six of the 30 players ply their trade in Serie A, while the Premiership and la Primera provide ten each, three come from the Bundesliga and only Juninho Pernambucano plays in France.


If Ronaldinho wins the award then he will equal Ronaldo's record of winning the trophy on three occasions. The former Barça star was voted as the world's best play in 1996, 1997 and 2002. Ronaldinho has won it in 2004 and 2005. The FIFA World Player of the Year award was inaugurated in 1991 and since then four Barça players have won the honour and they were all Brazilian. Romario was first in 1994, then came Ronaldo in 1996, Rivaldo followed in 1999 and Ronaldinho has scooped the award twice, in 2004 and 2005.

FC Barcelona´s top stars, Ronaldinho and Samuel Eto'o, finished in the Top 5 of FIFA´s World Player of the Year 2006 competition. Brazilian international Ronaldinho finished 3rd (380 votes) and Cameroonian striker Eto'o 5th (300 votes). Italian world champion Fabio Cannavaro (Real Madrid) finished 1st (498 votes), followed by retired French international Zinedine Zidane as 2nd, (454 votes) and Arsenal´s Thierry Henry on 4th place (317 votes).


In this annual competiton, organised by FIFA, all captains and coaches of the international teams that are members of FIFA elect the best player of the current year.


The ceremony took already part in Zurich, Switzerland on Monday evening. Ronaldinho was honoured for the third consecutive year as he was elected in the Top 3 again, along with Cannavaro and Zidane. In the last 2 years, the Brazilian top star Ronaldinho came first, this time it was the 3rd place.


Last season, Barca player Samuel Eto'o was also among the Top 3, but this year La Liga´s top striker missed most part of the current season with a nasty knee injury. Still, his talent was recognised once again and Eto'o came into 5th place.