Baichung votes for Messi

Tuesday, 24. November 2009 - IndianFootball.Com reporter

Like in the last couple of years India captain Baichung Bhutia cast his votes for the "2009 FIFA World Player of the Year" award.

And this time around our Indian sharp shooter voted for Argentina and FC Barcelona's little maestro Lionel Messi.

The votes come in from around with the world. The coaches and captains of all national teams officially affiliated with FIFA from around the world are allowed to take part.

Last year Baichung had given his vote for then Manchester United (now Real Madrid) and Portugal winger Cristiano Ronaldo, whom he placed third in his voting this year.

Second on Baichung's list came Spain and FC Barcelona midfielder Andrés Iniesta.

The top three last year were Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi and Fernando Torres (Spain/FC Liverpool).

This years FIFA Award's Night will be held on December 19.

The Indian national team probables current at a camp in Goa were also supposed to vote for the newly constituted FIFA/FIFPro World XI award, but for unknown reasons they couldn't do so.