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In France, the newspaper "L'Equipe" announced Argentine national team and "Barcelona" forward Lionel Messi as the best athlete of the ending 2011.
In the battle for the prestigious award, the superstar of the Catalan team defeated this year's strong contenders, tennis player Novak Djokovic from Serbia and Formula 1 champion Sebastian Vettel from Red Bull Racing, who took the second and third places respectively.
L. Messi became only the fifth football player in the history of these elections since the 1980s to receive the coveted "Champion of Champions" trophy.
Previously, this award had been earned by Italian Paolo Rossi (1982), Argentine Diego Maradona (1986), Brazilian Romario (1994), and Frenchman Zinedine Zidane (1996).
L. Messi also made it into the symbolic 2011 football team, assembled by "L'Equipe." Alongside the Argentine, the best eleven included "Barcelona" defenders Dani Alves and Gerard Pique, as well as midfielders Xavi Hernandez, Andres Iniesta, and Sergio Busquets.
"L'Equipe" Athletes of the Year
2011 Lionel Messi 2010 Rafael Nadal 2009 Usain Bolt 2008 Usain Bolt 2007 Roger Federer 2006 Roger Federer 2005 Roger Federer 2004 Hicham El Guerrouj 2003 Michael Schumacher 2002 Michael Schumacher 2001 Michael Schumacher 2000 Tiger Woods 1999 Andre Agassi
"L'Equipe" 2011 Football Team
Goalkeeper: Manuel Neuer ("Schalke" / "Bayern", Germany);
Defenders: Dani Alves ("Barcelona", Brazil), Nemanja Vidic ("Manchester United", Serbia), Gerard Pique ("Barcelona", Spain), Marcelo ("Real Madrid", Brazil);
Midfielders: Xavi ("Barcelona", Spain), Sergio Busquets ("Barcelona", Spain), Andres Iniesta ("Barcelona", Spain);
Forwards: David Silva ("Manchester City", Spain), Lionel Messi ("Barcelona", Argentina), Cristiano Ronaldo ("Real Madrid", Portugal).
"L'Equipe" 2011 Football Team (according to internet readers' votes)
Goalkeeper: Iker Casillas ("Real Madrid", Spain);
Defenders: Dani Alves ("Barcelona", Brazil), Sergio Ramos ("Real Madrid", Spain), Gerard Pique ("Barcelona", Spain), Eric Abidal ("Barcelona", France);
Midfielders: Xavi ("Barcelona", Spain), Cesc Fabregas ("Arsenal" / "Barcelona", Spain), Andres Iniesta ("Barcelona", Spain);
Forwards: Karim Benzema ("Real Madrid", France), Lionel Messi ("Barcelona", Argentina), Cristiano Ronaldo ("Real Madrid", Portugal)."
