Ballon D'Or shortlist

applehunter

Messi to beat Ronaldo again?

kitakyushu

*Hank Scorpio* wrote: »

Strikers, strikers everywhere!

No good defenders out there?

Yeah, if I was paranoid I'd suspect FIFA don't want to promote/reward excellence in defense as it gives the "wrong message" about the game.

I'd wager (as far as they're concerned) even a goalie is ok because he can offer up a "showreel" of eyecatching saves but no one wants to see the day to day work of destructive tackling or precise defensive organisation.

Professional Griefer

Would love to see Falcao win it.

It'll be Messi again, not that he doesn't deserve it or anything.

Hulk Hands

Free money alert. Messi 5/6 BV, Ronaldo 7/2 WH and Iniesta 7/1 sportingbet. Back all 3 by a certain amount to make a nice few quid risk free

Hulk Hands

kitakyushu wrote: »

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sqma7f7ecxk

Well considering he's a general 7/4 I think it's a very good bet. You can always lay off later for profit as he's sure to be shorter than 7/2 on the exchanges

MD1990

i think Ramires should maybe be in it instead of Pique
he was a huge player in helping Chelsea win the CL

dagdha

Casillas could be a dark horse to win it this year, alot of voters might find it difficult to choose between Messi and Ronaldo and this might be the year for a keeper to get it. Casillas is 66/1 on PP at the moment. I think Messi will get it though.

Rekop dog

I'd have definitely included Chiellini and Reus, both inexcusable exclusions, then maybe Vidal and Hazard!

kitakyushu

Hummels too.

Talib Fiasco

I predict:

1. Messi
2. Iniesta
3. Ronaldo
4. Pirlo
5. Neymar

edit: Very harsh on Buffon being shortlisted over Joe Hart. Ans Sergio Ramos there is a joke...very average player for me

BetterCallSaul

Whoever came up with that list obviously doesn't watch the Bundesliga then.

MD1990

TheComeUp wrote: »

I predict:

1. Messi
2. Iniesta
3. Ronaldo
4. Pirlo
5. Neymar

edit: Very harsh on Buffon being shortlisted over Joe Hart. Ans Sergio Ramos there is a joke...very average player for me

Ramos was superb for Real & Spain at the Euro's far from a average player just can be rash sometimes

Pinturicchio

Rekop dog wrote: »

I'd have definitely included Chiellini and Reus, both inexcusable exclusions, then maybe Vidal and Hazard!

Barzagli was better than Chiellini last season.

Kinda getting boring now this!

Regarding the coach of the year, how is Fergie in there?

dagdha

dagdha wrote: »

Casillas could be a dark horse to win it this year, alot of voters might find it difficult to choose between Messi and Ronaldo and this might be the year for a keeper to get it. Casillas is 66/1 on PP at the moment. I think Messi will get it though.

Just because you'd find it hard to choose between Messi and Ronaldo doesn't mean you'd ignore them both!

redzerdrog

the small matter of the european championship is why balatelli is on the list

efb

wheres RvP?

dagdha

rarnes1 wrote: »

Just because you'd find it hard to choose between Messi and Ronaldo doesn't mean you'd ignore them both!

Personally I'd choose Messi and I think he'll get it but alot of people are saying that it's getting predictable with Messi and Ronaldo being in the top 3 the last four years and it's time someone else gets it and Casillas' name has been dropped around since the World Cup. World Cup, Euro 2012 and La Liga winning captain. At 66/1 it might be worth a few quid.

Big Pussy Bonpensiero

Mario Balotelli, Didier Drogba, Gerard Piqué, Wayne Rooney shouldn't be on the list imo. The omission of some players is baffling, Kompany being the obvious one.

Pinturicchio

Drogba deserves to be there for his impact on the Champions League IMO.

MUSEIST

Why no Cech, he is pretty much the single biggest reason chelsea won the champions league last season.

klose

redzerdrog wrote: »

the small matter of the european championship is why balatelli is on the list

Bar the Germany game I don't think that's really a case for him to be in it. Would have Gomez there instead tbh.

klose

MUSEIST wrote: »

Why no Cech, he is pretty much the single biggest reason chelsea won the champions league last season.

There's already 3 much better keepers on the list.

EdenHazard

This list is always about reputation. Balotelli is absolutely ****, he scores a few goals and that's it. He has physical attributes and that's it, he seems to have absolutely no skill what so ever even tho popular opinion is that he does. I actually like him because he's funny but he is CAT

Blatter

EdenHazard wrote: »

This list is always about reputation. Balotelli is absolutely ****, he scores a few goals and that's it. He has physical attributes and that's it, he seems to have absolutely no skill what so ever even tho popular opinion is that he does. I actually like him because he's funny but he is CAT

He has lots of flair. He can pull a goal out of nowhere and change a game in an instant. That's extremely valuable .

He's also quick, strong, has a great long range shot, is a great finisher inside the box, has superb movement.

I think people sometimes forget how young he is. He's already a very good player and is going to be very special in the coming years.

Mr Blobby

Would have loved to seen De Natale on there...

Seaneh

blobby360 wrote: »

Would have loved to seen De Natale on there...

He wouldn't deserve to be near it.

Toto is a legend and his scoring record over the last 5 years is exceptional, but he's never even been anywhere near the top 3 players in Italy, never mind the world.

Mr Blobby

Seaneh wrote: »

He wouldn't deserve to be near it.

Toto is a legend and his scoring record over the last 5 years is exceptional, but he's never even been anywhere near the top 3 players in Italy, never mind the world.

Deserve's it more than Ballotelli though.

Seaneh

blobby360 wrote: »

Deserve's it more than Ballotelli though.

I don't agree.
Balotelli keeps him out of the Italy team, won the premier league and had a stormer of a euros. Where the tore the arse out of Germany.

carlop

MD1990 wrote: »

Ramos was superb for Real & Spain at the Euro's far from a average player just can be rash sometimes

I don't like him, but I think Ramos would be the most deserving Spanish player to win it this year.

He still makes the odd howler, but he's been excellent for club and country in 2012.

Surely though it'll go to one of the two usual suspects.

I love Falcao, but he's not close to the level of Messi or Ronaldo. Someone earlier in the thread had him on a par with Van Persie which I think is about right.

Fight_Night

carlop wrote: »

I don't like him, but I think Ramos would be the most deserving Spanish player to win it this year.

He still makes the odd howler, but he's been excellent for club and country in 2012.

Surely though it'll go to one of the two usual suspects.

I love Falcao, but he's not close to the level of Messi or Ronaldo. Someone earlier in the thread had him on a par with Van Persie which I think is about right.

Falcao isn't on the level of Messi per se, but he's the best out and out goalscorer in the world. Deserves his spot imo.

upandcumming

Blatter wrote: »

He has lots of flair. He can pull a goal out of nowhere and change a game in an instant. That's extremely valuable .

He's also quick, strong, has a great long range shot, is a great finisher inside the box, has superb movement.

I think people sometimes forget how young he is. He's already a very good player and is going to be very special in the coming years.

Ah hello Mr. Hansen.

Blatter

upandcumming wrote: »

Ah hello Mr. Hansen.

Ironically, Hansen hates Balotelli with a passion.

Xavi6

The Ballontelli D'Or has a nice ring to it :cool:

TheDoc

My take on the list

Sergio Agüero (Argentina)
Settled well into football, a true force, but feel his inclusion based on his last gasp winner at QPR.
Xabi Alonso (Spain)
A tremendous display of a passing DM in the last 12 months. Essential cog in the Real Madrid and Spanish success of the last 12 months. Will be overlooked by his compatriots however.
Mario Balotelli (Italy)
Shocking inclusion. A flash during the Euros after squandering earlier opportunities. He is more miss then hit...a weird inclusion.
Karim Benzema (France)
A serious case study for ressurection. Looked dead in the water at Real, fought his way into the team and was devastating last 12 months. Replacing Higeun no easy feat, but will fall short.
Gianluigi Buffon (Italy)
Not sure on this one, seems he always makes the short lists. As always a competent solid goalie but wont make into the next draft.
Sergio Busquets (Spain)
As much as I despise him, a good DM. Seems to have been overshadowed in the last 7 months however, but still a major force in the midfield.
Iker Casillas (Spain)
RM and Spanish captain, always going to be included based on the success of the last 12 months, despite his dwindling powers.
Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal)
No need to explain
Didier Drogba (Côte d’Ivoire)
Surprise inclusion for me, his powers have been ever dwindling and is now a journeyman
Radamel Falcao (Colombia)
Rising star, bit too early, but no doubt in time will be here regularly
Zlatan Ibrahimović (Sweden)
Always scoring goals and being outragous, will fall short of cut off this year. Another superstar on the slow decline.
Andrés Iniesta (Spain)
No explanation required
Lionel Messi (Argentina)
Duh
Manuel Neuer (Germany)
Major part of Bayerns success last year in CL final etc. A strong goalkeeper turning into a world class keeper.
Neymar (Brazil)
Superstar in the making, move to England inevitable, his exploits in Brazil are fantastic, but will be overlooked for the European boys.
Mesut Özil (Germany)
Super creative drive behind RM's and Germanies success in the last 12 months, easy inclusion, will fall short behind Xavi and Iniesta in the CM department.
Gerard Piqué (Spain)
Has been largely poor for club and country last 10 months imo, suprise inclusion, banging Shakira, respect.
Andrea Pirlo (Italy),
Bit of a softy inclusion here. Was largely poor for Milan before his move, a rejuvanation awarded with this inclusion, wont make cut I'd say
Sergio Ramos (Spain)
Seems to be maturing into a very strong defender, constant flutters with Mourinho holding him back. Strongest of the defenders on the list.
Wayne Rooney (England)
Weird inclusion. Englands best player by miles and one of the PL's top players for sure, but the last 12 months have been relatively subtle for Roo
Yaya Touré (Côte d’Ivoire)
A powerful midfielder who is getting good exploits. I figure him for a Adebayor character, who will loose interest fast if hes not on the move. Will fall short of the cut here.
Robin van Persie (Netherlands)
Most lethal striker on the planet the last 12 months, easy to include.
Xavi (Spain).
Obvious


As for those being touted as omissions that required inclusion, I'd probably want to Kompany there for his City exploits and possibly Sami Khadiera.

MaroonAndGreen

Balotelli certaintly should not be there!

Gomez is worth a place!

As is Petr Cech I think, pretty heroic for Chelsea in their Champions League campaign. As was Drogba, who despite what others have said, deserves to be there!

MaroonAndGreen

Also, Eden Hazard?

Had a brilliant season!

klose

MaroonAndGreen wrote: »

Also, Eden Hazard?

Had a brilliant season!

In ligue 1 yeah, lets not get too carried away.

MaroonAndGreen

whippedcream wrote: »

In ligue 1 yeah, lets not get too carried away.

ya in Ligue 1?

Neymar had a brilliant season in Brazil, a far inferior league, and hes nominated, doesnt deserve to be if you use that logic.

upandcumming

TheDoc wrote: »

My take on the list

Didier Drogba (Côte d’Ivoire)
Surprise inclusion for me, his powers have been ever dwindling and is now a journeyman

LOL...

SeantheMan

“The Ballon d’Or? If you have to pick the best, then it’s Messi, although I feel sorry for Andres [Iniesta] and Iker [Casillas].” - Xavi Hernandez

He knows better than us, although he doesn't get to cast a vote.

I remember seeing the votes cast last time and some ridiculous names that were nominated by the captains and managers of certain countries.

Pinturicchio

Mino Raiola, agent to Zlatan Ibrahimovic, weighing up the virtues of the Ballon d'Or. "It would only be an important award if it was won by Ibrahimovic. It won't be because it is corrupt. Blatter is a demented dictator, Platini is incompetent, and they can't stop me saying so. No one has ever tried telling me I'm wrong. They all know I'm right."

Seaneh

Raiola is a nut job. Another quality quote.

Mocha Joe

Seaneh wrote: »

Raiola is a nut job. Another quality quote.

Apart from the first sentence, he sounds spot on to me.

marbless

Interesting post by Guillem Balague, which gives some history also. Looks like no official announcement until Jan 7th.
http://www.guillembalague.com/en/blog/25-it-s-official

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#.UM92JdWNKM8

764dak

Apparently, Messi can only finish third for Sportsman of the Year in Argentina.

http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/blogs/world-of-sport/messi-finishes-only-third-argentina-spoty-131355022.html

http://www.givemefootball.com/european-news/sergio-martinez-more-popular-than-lionel-messi-in-

http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/european/the-best-player-in-the-world-lionel-messi-isnt-even-the-best-sportsman-in-argentina-8427616.html

Bodhisopha

764dak wrote: »

Apparently, Messi can only finish third for Sportsman of the Year in Argentina.

http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/blogs/world-of-sport/messi-finishes-only-third-argentina-spoty-131355022.html

http://www.givemefootball.com/european-news/sergio-martinez-more-popular-than-lionel-messi-in-

http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/european/the-best-player-in-the-world-lionel-messi-isnt-even-the-best-sportsman-in-argentina-8427616.html

I think there was a mistake, I say this sincerely. Last night it left me floored. Now I repeat it, I believe Leo today is intractable, invincible. I can't win against him. And I'm very proud to be behind him, Messi is better than I am. An incredible athlete from another planet. I could be the best among human athletes but he is from another planet. - Sergio Martinez on winning the award over Messi

Posted before on the boxing forum about what a class act this man is.

Bodhisopha

Here's the video i posted in the boxing forum about Sergio Martinez.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dRr9G3-pSUs

Genuine class act. Would love to see more of this from other sports stars.

BetterCallSaul

Winner announced later today. I'd say Messi has it in the bag again.

eagle eye

MaroonAndGreen wrote: »

ya in Ligue 1?

Neymar had a brilliant season in Brazil, a far inferior league, and hes nominated, doesnt deserve to be if you use that logic.

Since when is Brazilian Serie A inferior to Ligue 1?