As the 2009-10 La Liga season draws to a close, we caught up with Lionel Messi, this seasons best player and top goalscorer, for an exclusive interview on Sky Sports Revista de la Liga....

Revista:      A lot of coaches and players, Guardiola included, say that the season after an extraordinarily successful campaign is always very difficult in terms of the physical and mental demands on the players: is that the case and why? Tell us how you feel?

Messi:      It all depends upon the group: on the attitude of the dressing room and whether you want to achieve more. In our case we wanted to continue winning trophies; but were unfortunate to get knocked out of the Copa del Rey and then went out of the Champions League to a great side who played very well against us. We felt that we deserved to have reached the finals because we were playing well, but on the contrary, we were unable to do it and make ourselves and the fans happy.

Revista:      You`ve done your bit for the team this year, not just in terms of goals, but in your overall contribution and leadership: how would you say you`ve performed personally this season?

Messi:       I think the whole team has had a good season, despite the fact that we`ve been a little unfortunate at certain moments and haven`t had some of the luck we had on those occasions the season before – and that meant we didn`t win every trophy we were competing for. This year it wasn`t to be. But overall I think we`ve had a very good season, competing with a Real Madrid side that has spent a lot of money, bringing in some very impressive players to lift the team. We knew we would have to be at our best to come out on top, that it would be a very difficult season. But across the season, the entire squad has performed very well.

Revista:     You`ve beaten Real Madrid 4 times in succession across the last two seasons: an historic achievement and you`ve scored quite a few as well....

Messi:        That`s right, we`ve been up against a very strong Real Madrid side and we knew we`d have to beat them. But that wasn`t decisive in terms of the league; we have had to play well throughout the campaign to achieve what we have.

Revista:      I don`t want to get into comparisons between yourself and Cristiano Ronaldo; but as players you`ve got to recognise a rival with such an extraordinarily high level of talent and hunger as he has...

Messi:       I`ve always said I have the utmost respect for Cristiano, he`s great player – that`s why Real Madrid paid so much money for him and he has paid them back with some great football and lots of goals.  But it`s not just Cristiano, Real Madrid are a very strong side throughout.

Revista:      What was your favourite match of the season; either from a team or personal perspective?

Messi:       I don`t know; the team has played lot of great games. But maybe, from our point of view, the most memorable are either the Clasicos against Real Madrid or the important Champions League games that really stick in the mind.

Revista:     I`m under the impression that you are happier than ever – both in terms of both the football being played around you and in your personal life, with all your family around you here. It`s important for player, to get the best out of him, that he is contented...

Messi:      Yeah, for sure; I think that when a player is happy, that is reflected out on the pitch. Everything seems easier. My family have always been close to me and having them around me is very important.

Revista:      A lot of people are talking about the outstanding effect that Juanjo Brau (the physio) has had upon you; he`s made an important contribution to your level of personal performance?

Messi:       Yes it`s important that he`s been working alongside me; not just him but the entire medical team here who work very hard at helping us avoid injuries. Thanks to them I`ve stayed injury free and they`ve all contributed to making sure that nothing happens to me.

Revista:      Fit and ready for the world cup? Feeling lucky? You were injured the last time; this time you`ll be going in peak condition?

Messi:     Yes, I`m really up for it and really want to show that this could be Argentina`s time to win the world cup. It`s going to take a great deal of effort, but the national team will be made up of a group of players all on top form and that`s important.

Revista:      Perhaps its` to Argentina`s advantage that so many people seem to have underestimated your chances?

Messi:      a positive thing for us. We don`t really worry about what other people think while we are doing our job; it`s getting results in games and scoring goals that decide a world cup.

Revista:     Your best goal of the season?

Messi:        I don`t know, I don`t really remember goals in terms of how attractive they might be, but more in terms of their importance or significance. But as we were saying about the games against Real Madrid, any goals against them are amongst the nicest and most important.

Revista:      The fans watching you on Sky Sports love your football; do you know much about football in Britain? How does it compare to Spain or Argentina?

Messi:       It`s a very competitive league, with several teams competing for the title right to the very end of the season, and crowds are fanatical about their teams, very passionate; it`s a very attractive league.