BUENOS AIRES, Argentina — Believe it or not, Argentine journalists don't think Lionel Messi is the country's best athlete of 2012. Argentine boxer Sergio Martinez was awarded the title of “Olimpia de Oro,” given to the South American country's top athlete in voting by the Circulo de Periodistas — or association of journalists. Martinez defeated Mexican boxer Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. earlier this year in their WBC title fight. Barcelona star Messi, who has had a record-breaking year with 90 goals, didn't even finish second in the voting. That went to Sebastian Crismanich, the taekwondo fighter who won Argentina's only gold medal in the London Olympics. Messi finished third. As a consolation prize, Messi was voted the best Argentine footballer playing outside Argentina. “It is an honor having won this prize contending with athletes like Sebastian Crismanich and Leo Messi,” Martinez said at the award ceremony Tuesday night. Messi won the “Olimpia de Oro” award in 2011. Ronaldo eyes team trophy Cristiano Ronaldo says he would like to win the world player of year prize, but he places more importance on helping Portugal win its first international trophy. He said in an interview posted on the Portuguese Football Federation website Wednesday, “Careers are made by trophies that are won collectively, not individually. “The most important thing for me is to win something for the national team.” Ronaldo, Lionel Messi and Andres Iniesta are the finalists for FIFA's player of the year which will be awarded on Jan. 7. Messi has won the Ballon d'Or for the past three years. Ronaldo won it in 2008. Ronaldo also said he would love to win this year's Ballon d'Or but it would not be the end of the world if the prize went elsewhere. “If I win, perfect. If I don't, never mind, life goes on. But obviously I'd love to win. I'm not going to lie or be hypocritical,” the 27-year-old Real Madrid forward said. “Fair or unfair, the decision will be what it will be ... I'll maybe be very happy or maybe very sad. But that's life. I can't live according to an individual prize,” the 2008 Ballon d'Or winner added. Spain tops, Brazil sinks World Cup and European champion Spain has completed a full year atop the FIFA rankings, and Brazil has plummeted to No. 18. The 2014 World Cup host has dropped while playing only non-competitive matches, and failed to win last month. Brazil lost against Argentina, which remains at No. 3, and drew with Colombia, which rises to No. 5. Spain leads No. 2 Germany, with European Championship finalist Italy at No. 4. England is No. 6, and Europe fills all places through Switzerland at No. 12. — Agencies
