Lionel Messi had a tremendous 2012 as he set the record for most goals scored in a single year with 91 and accumulated a number of other feats.
The player became a father to his first son Thiago who was born on November 2, 2012. "Having Thiago was the biggest thing that has ever happened to me. It was a really special moment in my life," said the 25-year old player. The mother of Thiago is Messi's 24-year old fiancée Antonella Rocuzzo.
Messi scored success for the Argentinian national team which is currently atop the CONMEBOL World Cup Qualifying table with six wins, two draws, and one loss for 20 points. Messi has scored seven goals in the qualifiers thus far including five in 2012. "Another reason for me to feel happy this year was the love I received from all the people from Argentina who came to watch me play," he added.
2012 also Messi sign a contract extension with club team Barcelona that will have him playing for Blaugrana until he is 31. He has already expressed a desire to finish his career playing for the Catalonian squad and this move represents a positive step toward that direction.
This incredible year would be highlighted by a Ballon d'Or win on January 7 and while many believe that the Ballon d'Or victory is inevitable, there is still a slight chance he may lose it. Messi's goal scoring rate means nothing considering the fact that the player did not win a single team trophy this year; the lone blemish on an otherwise perfect year. Barcelona's reign atop the Spanish league came to an end in 2012 and his 14 goals in the Champions league meant even less as Barcelona lost in the semi-finals of the tournament.
His squad is off to a tremendous 2012-13 season in both competitions and Messi recognizes that his individual success means nothing if his team is not victorious.
"I'm happy about the goals I've scored and the records I've broken, but this year could have been better in terms of silverware. I've always said that if the team isn't winning things my goals are meaningless," Messi told Mundo Deportivo. "I've always said that if the team isn't winning things my goals are meaningless."
Messi's Barcelona teammate Andres Iniesta did win the Euro 2012 with Spain and was recognized as the MVP of the tournament. He also won the Best Player in Europe award form UEFA over the summer so there is a big chance that voters decide to award Iniesta's tremendous feats with Spain. Messi's other rival for the award is Cristiano Ronaldo and he won the Spanish League title with Real Madrid. Messi is the only contender to not win a single team title all year.
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