Completing another fine season despite falling in the semifinal round of the UEFA Championship League tournament, Barcelona was voted the top team in the Associated Press 2012-2013 season-ending Global Soccer poll.
Barca struggled with eventual CL champion Bayern Munich in the semis, dropping the first leg 4-0 and the second leg 3-0 in two of the clubs worst performances in an otherwise extremely successful campaign. While they were unable to win a fifth Champions League title, Barcelona did claim the 2012-2013 Spanish championship.
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Leading the way for the international powerhouse once again was 25-year-old superstar Lionel Messi. Although he battled multiple injuries throughout the year, Messi finished the season with a total of 60 goals, a mark that solidified him as the AP's Player of the Year.
"Messi's supreme form until getting injured near the end of the season - a key factor in Barca's exit from Europe - means he is a more obvious standout for player of the year," panel member James Porteous said to Yahoo Sports. "Especially as Bayern's success was built more on team and squad depth rather than one outstanding individual."
Messi earned a total of 191 voter points, edging Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo who finished with 125 points.
While Barcelona and Messi are deserving of their respective honors, Bayern Munich garnered much attention concerning the AP's top team honor after their Champions League title.
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Defeating rival Borussia Dortmund in the first CL championship match between two clubs from Germany, Munich finished 4 points behind Barcelona in the final team rankings, prompting many voters to applaud the efforts of the club and their manager Jupp Heynckes.
"Jupp Heynckes must be given lots of credit," AP voter Aurelio Capaldi said to RAI Sport. "He led Bayern Munich to a fantastic season, made the right choices, kept total control of the team even though the news of his replacement broke in the middle of the season."
Rounding out the top 5 teams in the final poll were English power Manchester United, nine-time Champions League winner Real Madrid and Juventus.
In the final season for head coach Alex Ferguson, Man U was able to deliver another Premier League title, sending their beloved manager out with a championship after 27 tremendous seasons.
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Even though Barcelona had a strong season, James Porteous was somewhat surprised they jumped ahead of the European champions in the final tally.
"I'm a little surprised Barca edged out Bayern, given the Germans' domestic dominance and Champions League win," he said. "But Barca were hugely impressive before falling to Bayern in the semifinals."
The final AP Poll brings to an end another successful global soccer season. With many familiar teams living up to their continuous high expectations, the balance around the world this season was tremendous and it certainly adds a level of excitement, as soccer fans anticipate the start of the 2013-2014 season that includes the 2014 World Cup.
FINAL AP SOCCER POLL TOP 10 - TEAMS
1. Barcelona (199 points)
2. Bayern Munich (195 points)
3. Manchester United (157 points)
4. Real Madrid (139 points)
5. Juventus (127 points)
6. Borussia Dortmund (103 points)
7. Paris Saint-Germain (74 points)
8. Chelsea (65 points)
9. Manchester City (62 points)
10. Atletico Madrid (45 points)
FINAL AP SOCCER POLL TOP 10 - PLAYERS
1. Lionel Messi, Barcelona (191 points)
2. Cristiano Ronaldo, Real Madrid (125 points)
3. Robin van Persie, Manchester United (67 points)
4. Gareth Bale, Tottenham (66 points)
5. Zlatan Ibrahimovic, PSG (53 points)
6. Edinson Cavani, Napoli (49 points)
t6. Robert Lewandowski, Borussia Dortmund (49 points)
8. Radamel Falcao, Atletico Madrid (47 points)
9. Luis Suarez, Liverpool (37 points)
10. Mario Balotelli, Milan (30 points)
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