Johannesburg, Dec. 20 (ANI): Soccer star Lionel Messi has been reportedly subbed for the 'best athlete of 2012'
award in his home country Argentina.
Instead, Argentine boxer Sergio Martinez was awarded the title of "Olimpia de Oro," an honor 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, Sport24 reports.
According to the report, 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, the report said.
"It is an honour having won this prize contending with athletes like Sebastian Crismanich and Leo Messi," Martinez
said at the award ceremony on Tuesday night.
Messi won the "Olimpia de Oro" award in 2011, the report added. (ANI)
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