Kaká Backs Messi For Ballon d'Or

The Brazilian star vowed to return to challenge for personal honours after tipping the Barcelona forward to pick the France Football award ahead of Ronaldo.

Many have tipped the Manchester United playmaker after he helped the club win the title and the Champions League, but for ability alone, Kaká prefers Messi.

"Messi is a truly great player. Cristiano Ronaldo is also very good and deserves the away, but I want Leo to be my successor," he told La Gazzetta dello Sport.

"He has incredible ability and can control the ball superbly and that makes him one of the best players in the world.

"I think he is the sort of player that you would always want in your team.

"I am only talking about this year. My aim is to recover my form as quickly as possible and to try and win th trophy again in Paris and the FIFA World Player of the Year in Zürich.

"But for that to happen I have to be playing at a consistently good level for Milan."

Kaká then stated that he believes Ronaldinho's move from Barça to Milan will turn out to be a bargain for the Serie A side and explained that he enjoys playing alongside him.

"Without doubt he will be the best signing of the season in the Italian league. Our paths in life have been very different, but that does not mean that we cannot be friends," he continued.

"Above all, it does not mean that we cannot play together either."

Finally, Kaká moved to reiterate his desire to stay with Milan despite the annual rumours of him attracting the biggest clubs on the continent.

"First it was about Madrid now everyone is talking about going to England. That is how the market is, but I insist that I am not going anywhere, he explained.

"My relationship with everyone at the club is excellent and unless someone has a change of plans one day and decides to sell me, I will not be moving."

Barca vs Racing Preview

Barcelona's Lionel Messi insists he is not bothered by Argentina legend Diego Maradona's criticism of his game.
Barcelona forward Lionel Messi insists he is not bothered by Argentina legend Diego Maradona's criticism of his game.

Maradona has claimed Messi often "plays for himself" and is "too individualistic", but the youngster is remaining unfazed ahead of Barca's clash with Racing Santander at the Nou Camp on Saturday.

"It's fine, I am used to Diego talking," he said.

"He always has something to say about me, but there is no problem and I'll keep playing as I always do," he added.

Messi has been away with Argentina on international duty, playing for 90 minutes in both the disappointing draws against Paraguay and Peru.

The 21-year-old only landed in Barcelona on Friday, missing the morning training session, and will have little more than 24 hours to prepare for the Primera Liga game with Racing.

He insists, though, he is ready to play if called upon by coach Pep Guardiola.

"I feel good and I want to play," he said. "I don't know what the boss is thinking, but I am ready to play and I hope he plays me from the start."

Defender Martin Caceres also missed Friday's morning training after arriving back from international duty with Uruguay, but Mexico captain Rafael Marquez did train after returning to Barcelona on Thursday.

Marquez has though been prone to injury following international breaks during his time at Barcelona and may be rested for Saturday's match.

If so, his place is likely to go to Gerard Pique.

And the former Manchester United defender believes Barcelona must turn the Nou Camp into a stadium feared by visiting teams this season.

Barcelona suffered a shock 1-0 defeat to newly-promoted Numancia in their opener - coach Guardiola's first Primera Liga match in charge - and Pique knows they can not afford too many more slip-ups.

"The Nou Camp must be a fortress from the very first day," he said.

"We cannot afford to stumble on Saturday. We need to win as many points as possible and not losing games will be fundamental."

Muslims Seydou Keita, Yaya Toure and Eric Abidal have all been fasting for Ramadan, but all three are being carefully monitored by Barcelona's medical staff and should be fit enough to participate in Saturday's match.

Gabi Milito remains sidelined with a long-term injury, but Guardiola has no other major fitness concerns ahead of Saturday's game.

Racing finished just seven points behind third-placed Barcelona last season, although the coach under whom they enjoyed such a successful campaign - Marcelino Garcia Toral - has since left to join Real Zaragoza.

The northerners will now be hoping for similar success under new man Juan Ramon Muniz and they began the season with a creditable draw at home to Sevilla.

And Muniz is upbeat about his side's chances on Saturday.

"We will try to get as much as we can out of the match and if that's three points, then great," he said.

"But we need maximum concentration because Barcelona have between 20 and 25 shots per game at home."

Recent signings Peter Luccin and Juan Valera could make their debuts for the Cantabrians after signing just before the transfer deadline, but Luis Fernandez will be missing through injury.

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