Messi, champion of champions

Argentine footballer Lionel Messi of Barcelona was elected today "champion of champions" sports daily L'Equipe, ahead of Serbian tennis player Novak Djokovic and the German driver Sebastian Vettel.

"He has won everything with Barcelona, with goals and lavish parties," says the newspaper on its front page where it appears almost exclusively Rosario player.

At 24 Messi, winner of the last two editions of the Ballon d'Or, choose the third row with Real Madrid's Portuguese Cristiano Ronaldo and Barcelona's Xavi Hernandez Spanish.

Elected with the votes of the editors of the newspaper, Messi managed 807 points, 208 more than Djokovic, world number one author of an unpublished series of consecutive victories on the circuit and more than 552 world champion in Formula One

- List of the top ten athletes of the year for L'Equipe:

1. Lionel Messi (ARG) 807 points

2. Novak Djokovic (SBR) 699

3. Sebastian Vettel (ALL) 255

4. Nikola Karabatic (FRA) 221

5. Kelly Slater (USA) 214

6. Teddy Riner (FRA) 211

7. Sebastien Loeb (FRA) 204

8. Dirk Nowitzki (GER) 133

9. Richie McCaw (NZL) 128

10. Cadel Evans (AUS) 110.