UEFA announce 23 man shortlist for Ballon d’Or award
UEFA have shortlisted 23 players for the biggest individual football award in Europe, Ballon d’Or. Argentine sensation, Lionel Messi, is firm favourite to retain his crown and complete a hat-trick of three consecutive awards.
The Barcelona striker once again had an amazing 2010/11 season and scored 53 goals in 55 matches in all competitions throughout the campaign. The 24-year-old had 24 assists to his name as well and played a huge role in helping
his side to win the Spanish La Liga and UEFA Champions League.
The former http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Barcelona-c38604 B star scored a wonderful goal in the Champions League final against English Champions, Manchester United and was named as the man of the match.
The closest candidate to rival the Argentine star is believed to be his club teammate, Xavi Hernandez. The midfield maestro had a terrific season and along with Messi, he was instrumental in his team’s success last season.
Real Madrid star, Cristiano http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Ronaldo-c31734, also poses healthy competition for Messi and he is a strong candidate to win it. The Portuguese skipper has previously won the award in 2008 at the time when he won the UEFA Champions League
with Manchester United. Ronaldo also had a phenomenal 2010/11 season, as he scored 53 goals from 54 matches in all competitions.
Surprisingly, no Italian player has been shortlisted for the award and the Italian candidate, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Antonio-Di-Natale-c6306, has suffered the chop from the initial list of 50 players.
On the other hand, Barcelona manager, Pep Guardiola, is a strong candidate to win the Coach of the year award. The Catalan boss won his third successive league title with the club and also helped them to win their second Champions
league title in the last three years.
The winner of the award will be announced in January 2012.
Player nominees: Eric Abidal (France), http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Diego-c11058 Forlan (Uruguay),
Andres Iniesta (Spain), http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Uruguay-c3035),
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Xabi-Alonso-c37045 (Spain), Xavi (Spain)
Coach nominees: http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Lille-OSC-c39800), Pep Guardiola (Spain/Barcelona), Jurgen Klopp (Germany/Borussia Dortmund), Joachim Low (Germany/Germany national
team), Jose Mourinho (Portugal/Real Madrid), http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Arsenal-c38429)
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