Undisputed No1! My mate Messi will rule for years — Iniesta

Posted Wednesday, November 14, 2012 by The Sun

PRIZE GUY ... Lionel Messi with his La Liga Best Player and Best Striker gongs

LIONEL MESSI is untouchable as the world’s No 1 footballer.

That is the verdict of his Barcelona pal and Spain superstar Andres Iniesta.

Argentina and Barca hero Messi was last night making more room in his bulging trophy cabinet after being named La Liga’s Players’ Footballer of the Year and Best Striker for last season.

The awards capped a sensational year of record breaking for the 25-year-old who is also favourite to lift the Ballon d’Or for a fourth successive time in January.

Iniesta said: “Leo Messi is the No 1 in the world. Messi is the best not only for his goals but for his game in general.

“He has a huge importance in the team, he is unique and decisive and that is why he breaks all those records.

“What makes the people of Barcelona even happier is that he has so much time left ahead of him in the game.

“Those who vote for the Ballon d’Or will vote for the goals and what he has done throughout the year.”

Iniesta’s last words are particularly poignant because he is also on the shortlist to win FIFA’s prestigious accolade.

Last night he was voted Best Attacking Midfielder in Spain last term.

He could still pip Messi to the top individual gong in football — which would be a recognition of Spain’s historic tournament Treble after adding Euro 2012 to the 2010 World Cup and their European title from four years ago.

But regardless of who wins, the Barca maestro vowed to continue improving in the years to come.

Iniesta said: “It’s something very special because you see that your work is valued and it makes you so happy.

“I hope in the years to come I’ll have the opportunity to be here because it means I will continue to grow and improve as a player and that’s what worries me the most.”

Iniesta tried to quash talk of a rift between Messi and star hitman David Villa after an on-the-pitch spat was captured by cameras a few weeks back.

He added: “Their relationship is very good.

“The moments you could see on the pitch are normal circumstances in a game of football and can happen at any moment.”

Messi’s astonishing statistics from last season left Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo in the shade.

And the awards came just three days after he broke Pele’s record of 76 goals for club and country in one calendar year — with more than six weeks remaining.

Messi said: “I’d like to thank the managers who voted for me as the best striker and my professional colleagues who did the same for the award of the best player in La Liga.

“My pride is so great to be able to receive those awards. It happened last year also, and it is a huge honour and and great joy.”

Meanwhile Iniesta jetted out to Panama with the Spain squad for tonight’s glitzy friendly. He defended the Spanish Federation’s decision to play there despite the long flight in mid-season.

He said: “It’s what it is. There are dates for the national team and we have to try to take advantage of the game. It’s true that it’s a long journey but we are happy to be in the squad, you have to think positively.”