Fifa Ballon d’Or shortlist revealed
The shortlist for the Fifa Ballon d’Or has been announced and, as expected, Spain dominate the list of contenders for the coveted accolade.
A total of seven of Spain’s World Cup-winning contingent feature on the list for the sport’s most prestigious individual award, including Andrés Iniesta, the mercurial Barcelona midfielder who rifled in his country’s winning goal against the Netherlands in the final.
His Barça teammates Xavi, Carles Puyol and David Villa also feature on the shortlist, as do Spain captain Iker Casillas and his Real Madrid teammate, Xabi Alonso. Arsenal’s Cesc Fábregas – heavily linked with a move to Barcelona last summer - is the last of the seven Spanish players in contention for the award.
However, the Spaniards are expected to face stiff competition from Dutch midfielder Wesley Sneijder, who enjoyed a phenomenal year with both his national team in South Africa and Inter Milan. The Nerazzurri won an historic treble last season, with Sneijder playing an instrumental role in their success.
The 26-year-old is joined by teammates Samuel Eto’o, who has started the new season in blistering form, and Brazilian full-back Maicon.
Meanwhile, the reigning holder of the Ballon d’Or, Argentina’s Lionel Messi, will again be among the favourites for the award after another stunning year with Barcelona. The 23-year-old scored a remarkable 47 goals for the Primera Liga side last season and helped guide the club to their second consecutive league title. Despite failing to score in South Africa with Argentina, Messi still managed to turn on the style, but his failure to ignite the tournament may see the award handed to someone else.
However, it won’t be going to Wayne Rooney, despite the striker scoring 34 goals for Manchester United last season. The 25-year-old has failed to hit the back of the net in open play since March and looked a shadow of his normal self with England at the World Cup.
Indeed, not a single England player is in contention for the award, following that hugely disappointing campaign in South Africa under Fabio Capello.
But Germany, who hammered England 4-1 in the summer, are well represented on the shortlist. Miroslav Klose, Philipp Lahm, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Mesut Özil and Golden Boot winner Thomas Müller all deservedly find themselves in the running for the accolade.
The world’s most expensive player, Cristiano Ronaldo, is also in contention for his second Ballon d’Or, while Brazilian duo Dani Alves and Júlio César also feature on the 23-man shortlist.
And finally, two of the stars of the 2010 World Cup complete the list. Asamoah Gyan became the star of Ghanaian football in the summer months thanks to his heroics on his home continent. The Sunderland forward finds himself alongside the world’s biggest stars.
And then there’s Diego Forlán, the man who dragged Uruguay to the semi-finals of the tournament almost single-handedly in South Africa, scoring five superb goals and winning the prestigious Golden Ball award for his efforts.
The striker also spearheaded Atletico Madrid’s success in the Europa League final, after scoring the brace which secured the Spanish side victory against Fulham in Hamburg.
The winner of the award will be announced at a lavish ceremony in Zurich on 10th January, and will be decided by the captains and head coaches of the national teams as well as a host of media representatives chosen by France Football magazine.
World Player of the Year nominees: Xabi Alonso (Spain), Daniel Alves (Brazil), Iker Casillas (Spain), Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal), Didier Drogba (Ivory Coast), Samuel Eto'o (Cameroon), Cesc Fabregas (Spain), Diego Forlan (Uruguay), Asamoah Gyan (Ghana), Andres Iniesta (Spain), Julio Cesar (Brazil), Miroslav Klose (Germany), Philipp Lahm (Germany), Maicon (Brazil), Lionel Messi (Argentina), Thomas Muller (Germany), Mesut Ozil (Germany), Carles Puyol (Spain), Arjen Robben (Holland), Bastian Schweinsteiger (Germany), Wesley Sneijder (Holland), David Villa (Spain) and Xavi (Spain).
World coach of the year nominees: Carlo Ancelotti (Chelsea), Vicente del Bosque (Spain), Sir Alex Ferguson (Manchester United), Pep Guardiola (FC Barcelona), Joachim Loew (Germany), Jose Mourinho (Inter Milan/Real Madrid), Oscar Tabarez (Uruguay), Louis Van Gaal (Bayern Munich), Bert van Marwijk (Holland) and Arsene Wenger (Arsenal).
Tags: