‘Messi has made the Ballon d’Or his own’

The Spanish press heaped praise on Lionel Messi after the 25-year-old became the first man to win the FIFA Ballon d’Or four times. “He is”, said El Mundo, “beyond classification.” In his native Argentina, it has been suggested that Lionel Messi’s winning of a record fourth consecutive FIFA Ballon d’Or is almost not newsworthy, such is the continuing regularity with which the 25-year-old is honoured. Not so in his adopted homeland, where debate has grown surrounding just how many individual titles the FC Barcelona striker can win before he retires.…

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Barcelona still on top after derby win

Liga leaders FC Barcelona made a convincing start to 2013 by overcoming Catalan rivals RCD Espanyol 4-0 to move 11 points clear of Club Atlético de Madrid, who drew with RCD Mallorca. Liga leaders FC Barcelona picked up where they left off last year by subjecting Catalan derby rivals RCD Espanyol to a 4-0 reverse and moving 11 points clear of Club Atlético de Madrid at the summit. Barcelona dropped just two points before the winter break and duly collected their 17th success from 18 league outings after Xavi Hernández lit the…

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