Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson had nothing but praise for FC Barcelona on Monday, predicting that the Catalans would repeat as champions of Europe for the second year running.
“Sometimes in football, you have to hold your hand up and say: ‘They’re better than us’,” said Sir Alex Ferguson at a news conference prior to the announcement of the 2011 Fifa Ballon d’Or.
“It’s not a crime or weakness, it’s just plain facts. They are just an extraordinary team.
“I can’t see anyone taking the trophy from them this year. Real Madrid are probably the nearest to them.”
Fergie’s praise of FC Barcelona has a great deal of merit. After all, the Catalans seemingly dominated Manchester United in the 2009 and 2011 UEFA Champions League finals.
Also at the news conference, Catalan boss Pep Guardiola admitted that his side are so accustomed to winning that losing seems unimaginable.
Guardiola also praised the “spectacular” record of Barca’s “opponents”.
Surely he is referring to Real Madrid, who are five points clear of the Catalans in the La Liga table at the moment.
“We have to live with the fact that, by winning so much, we lose the perception this is a game with opponents and it’s quite possible that we can win or lose,” said Guardiola.
“We are competing against opponents who have a spectacular record.
“If a team is five points ahead it’s because they are better, they have done things better than us. There are no secrets in football.”
Sir Alex, Guardiola and Real Madrid’s Jose Mourinho are the three candidates for the coach of the year award, with Guardiola the front-runner to take home yet another trophy.
As for the Ballon d’Or, Barca’s Lionel Messi is surely the favorite, with Catalan teammate Xavi Hernandez and Real Madrid talisman Cristiano Ronaldo the other short-list candidates.
Sir Alex Ferguson also took time to praise Lionel Messi, who is arguably the best footballer on the planet.
“Great players could play in any generation; Lionel Messi could play in the 1950s, Alfredo Di Stefano could have played now as could Diego Maradona, (Johann) Cruyff and Pele,” said Fergie.
“Messi comes into that category.”
That’s high praise from Manchester United’s legendary manager, but it is also fully deserved.
Leo Messi was the best player on the best team in the world in 2011, and for that reason alone he fully deserves the 2011 FIFA Ballon d’Or.
It is just that simple.
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