Messi takes vacation after 'spectacular' year

Associated Press Sports

updated 1:46 p.m. ET Dec. 21, 2011

BUENOS AIRES (AP) -Lionel Messi arrived in Argentina on Wednesday for his winter-break vacation following another trophy-laden year at Barcelona.

"I finish the year in a spectacular way," Messi said as he arrived in Buenos Aires. "It was a very good year achieving important things."

Messi, who said he will spend Christmas with his family in Rosario, scored twice in his club's 4-0 win over Brazilian club Santos in the Club World Cup final on Sunday and was named player of the tournament.

Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho belittled that achievement, saying Barcelona had won "two little games" to take the title, but Messi said he was pleased with the latest victory.

"It was an important game because of what it meant, who we were playing against, and because it was a club final," Messi said.

Barcelona also won the Champions League - with Messi scoring in the victory over Manchester United in the final - and defended its Spanish league title ahead of archrival Real Madrid during a stellar year.

Messi is also favorite to be named FIFA's world player of the year for 2011 from a shortlist that includes his teammate Xavi Hernandez and Cristiano Ronaldo.

The only success that eludes Messi is a trophy with Argentina, which was eliminated from the Copa America in the quarterfinals despite hosting the tournament this year.

"I like to win things with my club and with the national team," Messi said. "Unfortunately, that hasn't happened for me with the national team yet, but we'll keep working with lots of enthusiasm and belief."

Some Argentine fans have expressed frustration that Messi has been unable to repeat his invincible form for Barcelona on the international stage.

Messi insisted he always tries "to do my best, to try to play like I do every match with Barcelona. Sometimes it comes off, sometimes it doesn't, but I always have people's support."

? 2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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