In a welcome display of modesty in an increasingly "me-first" world, Argentine playmaker Lionel Messi made his point clear in talking with UEFA.com that "Any team that depends on just one player can't be a true soccer team."

Despite that selfless shunning of the spotlight, the fact remains that Messi has played a major role in Barcelona rising to the apex of La Liga and remaining a Champions League favorite. Both competitions have an equal place in the eyes of his fellow teammates, who he says "will fight just as hard to win both titles as long as we still have a chance to do so."'

Messi goes on to both provide praise and also downplay the departure of Ronaldinho, saying "he went out of his way to take care of me and helped me a lot" and "I will never forget the attention he paid to me." But ultimately, Messi concludes that "the team hasn't been affected at all" and that he's "ready to take on all the responsibilities the coach sees fit to trust me with." Read the original story...