Top seed Rafael Nadal, the Spanish section, and Argentine footballer Lionel Messi (Barcelona), in the chapter on foreign athletes were a "best picture of 2009," according to a study by the multinational "IMG".
The poll, conducted last December and has had access to EFE, reflects Nadal, Pau Gasol basketball and racing car driver Fernando Alonso, in that order, as the three Spanish athletes with the best image in the last year.
In the chapter on foreign athlete with the best image, the podium is occupied by Messi, Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid) and Swiss tennis player Roger Federer, respectively. In paragraph merely Spanish, Nadal, who has taken 68.2 percent of preferences, also was the most valued in a similar survey in 2008, but then exceeded 78.4 percent.
Gasol, the Spanish star in the NBA, where he won last year the prized championship ring with the Los Angeles Lakers, has won 36.9 percent (30.6 percent in 2008), while Fernando Alonso, who will run this year with Ferrari, has won 30.8 percent (37 percent in 2008). Among the top ten list of most rated Spanish in relation to the image they provide, are five players:'s Iker Casillas and Raul Gonzalez and the Barcelona playmaker Xavi Hernandez, Andres Iniesta and Carles Puyol.
Precisely in paragraph only players, as leader repeats Casillas, with 47.4 percent (56 percent in 2008). Spectacular rise of Iniesta, who is second this year (38.1 percent) in 2008 ended in fourteenth place (2.5 percent). In the Spanish world of basketball, Pau Gasol is logically first (83.4 percent of preferences), followed by his brother Marc (34.9%), Juan Carlos Navarro (23%), Ricky Rubio (16.9%) and Rudy Fernandez (11.5%).
In tennis, Nadal sweeps with 94.6 percent of preferences. They are followed, Fernando Verdasco (32.4%, 17.9% by 2008) and David Ferrer (23.1%, 16.2% by 2008). Curiously, among the top ten, are idols of the past and Arantxa Sanchez Vicario (10.9%), Manuel Santana (9%) and Emilio Sanchez Vicario (4.2%).
In golf, it remains the "myth" Severiano Ballesteros (50.9%) as the leader in image, followed by Sergio García (30.85%) and Jose Maria Olazabal (10.2%). The world of engine is dominated by Fernando Alonso (85%) ahead of the riders Dani Pedrosa (43.7%) and Jorge Lorenzo (4.6%), and also motorist Pedro Martínez de la Rosa (12.5%). Among the top ten also include retired Angel Nieto and Alex Criville.
In the chapters of foreigners with "best picture" Messi leads the overall with 40.8 percent (21.5% in 2008), followed by Cristiano Ronaldo, with 21.1% (7.6% in 2008) and Federer, with 21.3% (29.2% in 2008). In basketball, basketball player Michael Jordan is the best image abroad (37.1%), followed by Kobe Bryant (25.4%) and Magic Johnson retired (13.9%).
Federer (60.9%) is sending in tennis, Novak Djokovic is second (17%) and Argentina's Juan Martin Del Potro (12.5%). Still legends John McEnroe (9.8%), Andre Agassi (10.2%), Pete Sampras (6.3%), Bjorn Borg (5%) and Ivan Lendl (1.3%).
The golf course remains, according to the survey, the Tiger Woods as the U.S. have a "best picture", with 52.2%, despite the scandals that arise from his alleged marital infidelities.
In the motor world, leads the German driver Michael Schumacher (48.2%), who has returned to the Formula One Following are the rider Valentino Rossi (42.3%), MotoGP world champion, and the British motorist also Lewis Hamilton (16.7%).