Di Natale: It´s Messi´s d´Or

Udinese attacker Antonio Di Natale has tipped Barcelona forward Lionel Messi to win this year’s FIFA Ballon d’Or.

FIFA will reveal the official list of candidates for the award on November 1, but a report in El Mundo Deportivo last week suggested that Di Natale is the only Italian to have made the cut, much to the experienced forward’s satisfaction.

“I support Messi to win the Ballon d’Or, because he is absolutely extraordinary. He can decide a match at any time with a moment of brilliance,” Di Natale said.

“I also want Messi to win it because he’s Argentine, just like my idol Diego Armando Maradona.”

“I was quite emotional when I heard that I’ve allegedly made the list. I felt like it was just a dream for the first two days, but then I actually realised that I deserve it.”

The 34-year-old played a major role in Udinese’s qualification for the Champions League play-offs by scoring 28 league goals last season.