FIFA World Player of the Year

Eire-Dearg

They've announced the 23-man shortlist for the award, no surprises really.

Michael Ballack (Germany), Gianluigi Buffon (Italy), Iker Casillas (Spain), Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal), Diego (Brazil), Didier Drogba (Ivory Coast), Michael Essien (Ghana), Samuel Eto'o (Cameroon), Steven Gerrard (England), Thierry Henry (France), Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Sweden), Andres Iniesta (Spain), Kaka (Brazil), Frank Lampard (England), Lucas Leiva (Brazil), Luis Fabiano (Brazil), Lionel Messi (Argentina), Carles Puyol (Spain), Franck Ribery (France), Wayne Rooney (England), John Terry (England), Fernando Torres (Spain), David Villa (Spain), Xavi (Spain).

Tricky to pick out a winner this year

whatawaster

Eire-Dearg wrote: »

They've announced the 23-man shortlist for the award, no surprises really.



Tricky to pick out a winner this year

Not really, i think everyone knows Messi is going to win

That_Guy

Where's Kevin Nolan?

Nani

Podge2k7

rarnes1 wrote: »

Nani

Who?

That_Guy

Or Lucas. No no. This list isn't right at all.

That_Guy

That_Guy wrote: »

Or Lucas. No no. This list isn't right at all.

Nani and Lucas joint winners

Podge2k7

rarnes1 wrote: »

Nani and Lucas joint winners

What about Babel?

3hn2givr7mx1sc

How in the name of all that is holy did Lucas get into that shortlist?

Messi FTW.:cool:

FearDark

Lucas...

Hahahahaha.... good one FIFA!

Stacksey

Is it just me or is Zlatan Ibrahimovic the most overated player of all time, i dont think he would stand out if he played astro up in finglas with me and a few of my bill gates

jank

Aquaman!

One Cold Hand

baz2009 wrote: »

How in the name of all that is holy did Lucas get into that shortlist?

Best CM in the premiership...

flahavaj

LOL, classic stuff Eire-Dearg.

Boggles

jank wrote: »

Aquaman!

I'd go along with that, he has only played 1147 seconds of football this season but fook me did you see that pass!!! :eek:

Podge2k7

I'd be surprised if Messi doesn't win it tbh.

eZe^

Stacksey wrote: »

Is it just me or is Zlatan Ibrahimovic the most overated player of all time, i dont think he would stand out if he played astro up in finglas with me and a few of my bill gates

Actually explain this to me? If anything, he is underrated, because all everybody harps on about is his poor CL K.O scoring record. Could you list the strikers that you think are better than him?

Genuinely, watch this clip of his 25 goals last year in Serie A, and tell me ANY striker that could score all of those currently playing in world football today.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lJd52i_APIE

Mr. Presentable

Stacksey wrote: »

Is it just me or is Zlatan Ibrahimovic the most overated player of all time, i dont think he would stand out if he played astro up in finglas with me and a few of my bill gates

He has 7 for 7 at Barca..................

leninbenjamin

eZe^ wrote: »

Actually explain this to me? If anything, he is underrated, because all everybody harps on about is his poor CL K.O scoring record. Could you list the strikers that you think are better than him?

totally agree. Zlatan is probably the best all round striker in football at the moment. Certain individuals are better than him at specific situations, for example you might say Rooney with his work rate, Eto'o for close control, Berba for link up play (only on those rare occasions when the notion takes him of course) but if you want someone to lead the line nobody is better than Zlatan.

And not to mention he's the worlds best when it comes to back-heels.

flahavaj

Honestly in terms of leading the line, Torres and Drogba are his equal if not better.

Plus Torres has an unreal record in big games, his scoring against the big four in the last 18 months has been nothing short of sensational, can't remember the exact ficures but its well over a goal a game.

I'd like to see Ibra produce that big game form to truly cement his status as the best around.

Bubs101

eZe^ wrote: »

Actually explain this to me? If anything, he is underrated, because all everybody harps on about is his poor CL K.O scoring record. Could you list the strikers that you think are better than him?

Genuinely, watch this clip of his 25 goals last year in Serie A, and tell me ANY striker that could score all of those currently playing in world football today.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lJd52i_APIE

Someone's changed his tune.

Messi was obviously the best player in the world last season, I think Buffon is by far the best player this season, has been in flying form but a keeper will never win anyway

VinylJunkie

leninbenjamin wrote: »

totally agree. Zlatan is probably the best all round striker in football at the moment. Certain individuals are better than him at specific situations, for example you might say Rooney with his work rate, Eto'o for close control, Berba for link up play (only on those rare occasions when the notion takes him of course) but if you want someone to lead the line nobody is better than Zlatan.

And not to mention he's the worlds best when it comes to back-heels.

So Drogba or Torres would not enter the fray?

Must be a United fan given the pure arrogance of your statement :rolleyes:

eZe^

flahavaj wrote: »

Honestly in terms of leading the line, Torres and Drogba are his equal if not better.

Plus Torres has an unreal record in big games, his scoring against the big four in the last 18 months has been nothing short of sensational, can't remember the exact ficures but its well over a goal a game.

I'd like to see Ibra produce that big game form to truly cement his status as the best around.

You see, that's completely fair enough. I had a problem with somebody saying 'he's the most overrated player ever', or that 'he's only a youtube footballer' (maybe that's because people never watched him in Serie A?). I disagree about Drogba though, he's rated highly by everyone, but I still think he's only had one truly mesmerizing season.

Also, Ibrahimovic has a good record of scoring against big sides in Serie A, the likes of Milan, Juve, Roma, etc. He has just never been able to translate that to the K.O stages of the CL, quite like Inter in general really.

Bubs101 wrote: »

Someone's changed his tune.

Messi was obviously the best player in the world last season, I think Buffon is by far the best player this season, has been in flying form but a keeper will never win anyway

Ah I've always admired Ibrahimovic's talents, and regularly fought his corner in the Zlatan vs Berbatov debate. I'm just starting to truly fall in love with his play now though, that goal clip is only 1/2 of the story too, the rest of his game is fantastic.

leninbenjamin

VinylJunkie wrote: »

So Drogba or Torres would not enter the fray?

3 years ago I would have said that about Drogba. But his finishing has become absolutely appalling of late.

As for Torres, better finisher no doubt. In certain line-ups he'd perform better than Zlatan, but for me Zlatan's a better all rounder. He's has a bit more of a presence off the ball imo.

VinylJunkie wrote: »

Must be a United fan given the pure arrogance of your statement :rolleyes:

Must be a pool fan givin' your 'sensitive disposition' to the topic at hand (see, i can make stupid statements too :rolleyes:)

I'm an Arsenal fan btw.

ShaneU

Lucas and Ballack? Sorry what? Them being on the list and the likes of Gourcuff being omitted is a joke, even Fletcher or Ireland would be better choices. Not that any of those players would win but Lucas shouldn't be anywhere near that list.

Frisbee

How in the name of God is Lucas on that list and not Fabregas?

eZe^

Frisbee wrote: »

How in the name of God is Lucas on that list and not Fabregas?

Because Fabregas didn't get an assist over the weekend against Man Utd.. Hahaha, that's actually the biggest joke ever.

Eire-Dearg

I added Lucas to see people's reactions. He's NOT in the shortlist.

Unfortunately Ballack is.

manutd

That list is a joke.
FTW Messi to win.

manutd

Eire-Dearg wrote: »

I added Lucas to see people's reactions. He's NOT in the shortlist.

Unfortunately Ballack is.

Thank God, i tought FIFA lost their minds with Lucas in it.

flahavaj

LOL, did people actually the Lucas thing was anything other than a blagguard by Eire Dearg? My faith in this forum just died a little.

orourkeda

Jason Byrne. Still bangin' them in at the highest level

Boggles

Boggles wrote: »

I'd go along with that, he has only played 1147 seconds of football this season but fook me did you see that pass!!! :eek:

I knew you'd see the light Boggles !

V9

Why in gods name is Ballack on the list? Just.... why? Is there a different ballack out there playin coz the one for Chelsea is mediocre at best.

VinylJunkie

leninbenjamin wrote: »

Must be a pool fan givin' your 'sensitive disposition' to the topic at hand (see, i can make stupid statements too :rolleyes:)

No Shel's, which probally explains my 'sensitive disposition' even more so

MementoMori

Eire-Dearg wrote: »

I added Lucas to see people's reactions. He's NOT in the shortlist.

Unfortunately Ballack is.

Well played son. :D:D

Frisbee

Eire-Dearg wrote: »

I added Lucas to see people's reactions. He's NOT in the shortlist.

Unfortunately Ballack is.

You Maniacal genius

JP Liz

Messi has to win

rossie1977

Tricky to pick out a winner this year???

the opposite is true actually, last year you had a guy who scored 33 goals for his club (including 7 in the champions league) and the winning goal for his country in the european championships and he only came second

this year one player has stood head and shoulders above everyone, if Messi doesn't walk this award then i lol