MESSI-AH FOR FIFA BALLON d’Or AGAIN?
Messi is the current holder of the FIFA World Player of the Year award and Ballon d’Or. But, starting from this year, the two awards have been merged so now the best player in the world will be recognized by a single accolade – FIFA Ballon d’Or. There are
23 nominees, unsurprisingly no Englishmen, shortlisted for the accolade which will be awarded in Zurich, Switzerland on 10th January.
Let’s have a look at the favorites to land the award and consider the possibility of the retention of this award.
1) LIONEL MESSI
The Argentine international, who plays for Barcelona Football Club, is not a new name to the world of football. Being tipped as the heir of Diego Maradona, Messi is extremely gifted and skillful player. He has won numerous trophies with his club and also
holds many individual honors. He is reigning FIFA World player of the year and Ballon d’Or winner.
Messi had a very successful season with Barcelona. A season where he chipped in with 47 goals and 14 assists to help his team win La Liga, UEFA super cup, FIFA Club World Cup and Supercopa de Espana. However, Barcelona couldn’t progress from the semi finals
of last year’s UEFA Champions League and Messi couldn’t progress from the quarter finals of the FIFA World Cup with his national team either. These are arguably two of the biggest competitions in football. This can count against him when the panel decides
the winner of FIFA Ballon d’Or but with individual performances, Messi does put forward a very strong case.
2) CRISTIANO RONALDO
Cristiano Ronaldo is a Portuguese international who plays for the Spanish club, Real Madrid. He is a former FIFA World Player of the Year and Ballon d’Or winner. Still considered as one of the best players to ever grace the game of football, Ronaldo has
a wonderful dribbling and shooting ability. Not to mention, he is one of the best free kick takers in the business.
Ronaldo had an excellent season with Real Madrid but didn’t have any trophies to showcase their marriage - A total of 33 goals and 7 assists in the last season. Real Madrid and Portugal didn’t win any trophy and thus, weakening an otherwise iron clad case
for the FIFA Ballon d’Or award.
3) ANDRES INIESTA
Iniesta is a Spanish midfielder who plays for the Spanish champions, Barcelona Football Club. Highly technical and skillful, he is a regular in both, his club and the national team. Along with his ability to unlock defenses, he has a knack of scoring important
goals. Chelsea and the Netherlands can testify to that claim.
Iniesta had an amazing season with the Spanish giants as well in which he scored only a single goal but contributed to a lot more. His partnership with Xavi in the midfield was a good one and together they formed the backbone of the midfield of Barcelona.
Messi has to thank Iniesta for a lot of his goals as Iniesta usually assumed the role of a provider. Iniesta has a few prestigious trophies to show off for his claim for FIFA Ballon d’Or, including but not limited to, La Liga and the FIFA World Cup.
4) WESLEY SNEIJDER
Wesley Sneijder is the Dutch international and the World Cup finalist who plays for the Italian club, Inter Milan. Sneijder prefers to play as an attacking midfielder where he is arguably at his best, unlocking defenses and scoring goals. He is one of the
reasons why Inter Milan and the Netherlands progressed in the respective competitions.
Sneijder had a very good season with Inter and a very good summer with the Netherlands. He won the treble with Inter Milan, Serie A, Champions League and Coppa Italia, scoring 8 goals in the process. He was also a World Cup finalist where he gave a few amazing
performances and scored four goals, including all important goal vs. Brazil. He is one of the favorites to land the prestigious FIFA Ballon d’Or award.
5) ARJEN ROBBEN
Yet another Dutch international, World Cup finalist and domestic league silverware holder last season. Arjen Robben is a Dutch winger who plays for the German club Bayern Munich. Very skillful, technically gifted and also possesses a keen eye for goal. He
helped Bayern Munich to win Bundesliga and DFB-Pokal while scoring 23 goals in the process and chipped in with a few assists as well. One of the goals includes his superb volley against Manchester United in the semi final of the UEFA Champions League which
pretty much assured Bayern a place in the final. Robben’s rediscovery of his form has given him a very strong case to win the FIFA Ballon d’Or award.
HONORABLE MENTIONS:
Diego Folran (Uruguay and Atletico Madrid – 28 goals. Golden Ball winner). David Villa (Spain and Barcelona – 28 goals and 10 assists. FIFA World Cup winner).
Didier Drogba (Ivory Coast and Chelsea – 37 goals. Winner of FA Premier League).
Xavi (Spain and Barcelona – 7 goals. FIFA World Cup winner). Cesc Fabregas (Arsenal and Spain – 19 goals and 19 assists. FIFA World Cup winner).
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