Changing room chat: Messi comes 3rd in Argentine awards

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 association of journalists. Martinez defeated 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.

Fletcher-Jordan link scuppered

GOSSIP writers thought they had a story coming their way when pictures filtered through from Old Trafford on Wednesday night, where Manchester United and Unicef were holding a charity gala dinner. The snaps showed immaculately-attired United players, posing with their stunning wives and girlfriends, but the caption accompanying Darren Fletcher’s picture said: “Scottish player Darren Fletcher with partner KATIE PRICE pose for pictures as they arrive. . .”

We are glad to clarify that Darren was in fact pictured with his wife, and mother of their twin sons, Hayley, maiden name HAYLEY GRICE, not the model Price aka Jordan.