<div id="attachment_167535" style="width: 310px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><div><figure class="image"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-167535" loading="lazy" src="https://media.worldsoccertalk.com/wp-content/2016/04/fifa-300x200-300x200.webp" alt="" width="300" height="200" class="size-medium wp-image-167535" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px"></figure></div>Photo credit: AFP</div>
Argentina and Barcelona forward Lionel Messi captured the inaugural Fifa Ballon d’Or award. This is the first time this award has been presented as the Ballon d’Or (former European Footballer of the Year award) and the FIFA World Player of the Year award have been merged.
Messi beat out fellow Barcelona teammates Xavi and Andres Iniesta both of whom had strong years for club and country. I was rooting for Xavi as I think this may have been his last chance at the award considering he is now 30. I felt more than just for sentimental reasons that he would have been an excellent choice. He is the heartbeat and maestro for two of the most dominant teams from this past calendar year – Barcelona and Spain. I think Andres Iniesta is a very good player but I was disappointed to not see Wesley Sneijder in the final three after winning the treble with Inter Milan and leading Netherlands to the World Cup finals.
That being said, it is hard to argue against Messi, who scored a remarkable 60 goals for club and country in the 2010 calendar year and is widely regarded as one of the most gifted footballers ever. Messi joins some elite company in winning back to back player of the year awards.
Johan Cruyff, in 1973 and 74, was the first to do it. Cruuyff, who was often called ‘Pythagoras in boots’ for the beauty and precision of his angled passes, is still the standard by which many judge what a ‘complete’ footballer should be. Not only did he have great vision and passing but his overall technical ability, speed, acceleration and dribbling set him apart. You can watch the Dutch master at work in this <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wY3i01oQrH4" target="_blank" rel="noopener">YouTube video</a>.
Liverpool legend Kevin Keegan landed the Ballon d’Or in 1978 and 1979. Bayern Munich legend Karl-Heinz Rummenigge had his best years in 1980 and 1981 including back-to-back Ballon d’Or awards and winning the 1980 European Championships with West Germany.
However, UEFA president Michel Platini did one better than all the rest by winning three consecutive awards between 1983 and 1985. Why did he win three in a row ? For starters, he finished top scorer in Serie A for three consecutive seasons (1982–83, 1983–84, and 1984–85). He won the scudetto (Italian championship) with Juventus in 1984, the European Cup Winners’ Cup in 1984, the 1984 UEFA Super Cup, the European Cup in 1985 and the 1985 Intercontinental Cup. He also won Euro 1984 with France for good measure. The only thing that eluded Platini during his career was a World Cup win. He came close with France in 1986 when they finished 3rd.&nbsp;<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=df8hA2uNNxE" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Watch Platini in action.</a>
For a bonus treat, here are highlight videos for <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q3TngBF09WU" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Messi</a>, <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D9CR0nV_8Z4" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Xavi</a> &amp; <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S8_hCtPi1_8" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Iniesta</a>. Oh what the heck, here’s one of <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3s8kEcTYpow" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Sneijder</a> also. Enjoy!

Messi Wins Fifa Ballon d'Or Award

Messi Wins Fifa Ballon d'Or Award - World Soccer Talk

<a href="https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/FIFA-Ballon-d’Or-trophy.jpg"><div><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" src="https://media.worldsoccertalk.com/wp-content/2013/10/FIFA-Ballon-d%E2%80%99Or-trophy-500x323.webp" alt="The FIFA Ballon d&apos;Or trophy is displayed" width="500" height="323" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-87587" sizes="(max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px"></figure></div></a>
Controversial as it may sound, I just could not help but share my thoughts. Some might agree and some might not, but it’s all up to your own judgements. As we all know, from this year onwards, the FIFA World Player of The Year and the highly prestigious Ballon d’Or will be combined and rechristened the new FIFA Ballon d’Or award. I for one am relieved this has come about as we have had funny situations when it came to naming the best player in the World and Europe.
For instance, year 2004 saw Ronaldinho being installed as World Player of The Year but when it came to the European Footballer Award, he was in 3rd place behind Andriy Shevchenko and Thierry Henry. Now how the best in the world is only third best in Europe is quite baffling to be honest. Another reason why I feel this award is losing credibility is just about the way it is being handed out. Why can’t it be right at the end of the season? Why it has to wait until the end of the year? The main question would be how it is being judged? We are all aware that by the time the award is given out, around a quarter of a new season is already underway. By the look of it, the ongoing season seem to have an effect on the way the nominees are listed. The perfect example would be the case of Diego Milito who was simply outstanding last season but seems to suffer a mediocre start to the new season. Has this in any way affected his glaring omission from the list of nominees for this year’s award? Even Miroslav Klose (with 3 league goals only all season) is ahead of him.
No disrespect intended but this just shows how flawed the system is when it comes to nominating and awarding the best players throughout the season. I am of the belief that the winner should deserve it to begin with, and then should be judged for his performances of that particular season, not the season before or after. Rooney had a terrible World Cup, but so did Klose in terms of the entire season bar the World Cup. So does that mean he had a better season than Rooney? Thierry Henry was head and shoulders above everyone else in 2003 but the award eventually went to Zinedine Zidane who had a good but not spectacular season compared to Henry’s. Past winners have also come exclusively from Juventus, Real Madrid, Inter Milan, AC Milan and Barcelona until Cristiano Ronaldo won it whilst a Manchester United player. There is also a feeling that the award is based on the performances of a single tournament (Ronaldo in 2002 and Cannavaro in 2006). Both the players above had brilliant World Cups but they were not really electrifying throughout the season. So this raises a question on whether the awarding of the title of the world’s best is done in a fair manner.
Anyhow, this is just my honest opinion. What do you guys out there think? Please share your thoughts below.

Is The World Player Award Losing Its Credibility?

Is The World Player Award Losing Its Credibility? - World Soccer Talk

Barcelona’s star Lionel Messi has capped his great week with two goals to lead the Catalan side to a 3-1 victory over Deportivo La Coruna. Several days ago he was named the Ballon d’Or winner after a stunning year during which he led Barca to three titles- Champions League, la Liga and Copa del Rey.
Some skeptics and other unreasonable critics were beginning to argue Messi is underperforming and not living up to his remarkable displays from last season. What many seem to overlook is the fact Messi has already found the back of the net nine times in 13 league matches besides providing his fellow Barca players with five assists. In total Messi has 13 goals while assisting on six others in 20 appearances. A week ago the club hosted Real Madrid in the El Clasico clash and ended up 1-0 winners courtesy of substitute Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s second-half strike. Messi took part in the game after missing out on the crucial 2-0 triumph over Inter in the Champions League.
In the space of two weeks, the Catalan side emerged victorious against Los Galacticos in la Liga and the Nerazzurri in European competition. The side remains on course to compete in all the major competitions despite the fact it is still too early to judge whether Barca can go all the way and repeat as treble winners.
Messi was not used against Inter (in Europe) due to injury but has featured in the other important games against Real and Depor helping Barca to open a five point lead over their bitter rivals Real. While Barca’s players remain undefeated in the league, the capital club’s players have yet to hit top form and the side has already been dumped out of the cup competition. The fans and critics alike must understand Messi will not score in every game and will certainly have a number of sub-par performances.
It is unfair to expect from him to score in almost every game or to perform at his best over the course of a long and demanding season. What matters the most now is his side is still in the running to repeat as champs in all three competitions won last season. The club will have the opportunity to win the FIFA World Club Cup as well which will be held in Abu Dahbi before the end of this year. All eyes will be on Messi to see whether he can finish off a great year with another trophy.
The next several months will decide whether Barca can repeat and if Messi will indeed remain the world’s best player. South Africa 2010 will have a big say in determining whether he repeats as Ballon d’Or winner but his achievements with his club should not be underestimated.

Messi's Great Week Continues

Messi's Great Week Continues - World Soccer Talk

<div><figure class="external-image"><img loading="lazy" class="alignright size-medium wp-image-2400" src="/files/2009/12/Messi-226x300.jpg" alt="Messi" width="226" height="300"></figure></div>As expected Lionel Messi succeeded Cristiano Ronaldo as the winner of the Ballon d’Or award. The Barcelona star comfortably won the prize but he&nbsp;admitted&nbsp;his&nbsp;surprise at the margin of victory as he received 240 points more than Cristiano Ronaldo who finished second.
Messi&nbsp;was quite close to winning all 480 points &nbsp;possible as he finished with a near perfect 473 points while Real Madrid’s Ronaldo got 233 points which is less than half of Messi’s total! There is no doubt the Argentinian deserved to win since he was one of the main driving forces behind Barca’s treble winning season. He led all scorers in the Champions League with nine goals and scored in the final triumph against none other than Ronaldo’s Manchester United. The Catalan club’s star also scored 23 times in la Liga and was on the score sheet six times in the Copa del Rey.
The goals scored by Messi do not tell the whole story since his contributions transcend beyond the occasions he found the back of the net to include the assists he provided his fellow Barca players&nbsp;with. Messi’s assists&nbsp;totalled 18 in all competitions. The top spots on the list were dominated by Barca players which is also not surprising considering the influence of the likes of Xavi and Andres Iniesta as well as current Inter striker Samuel Eto’o.
Messi mentioned to France Football he is honoured to win the award and dedicated it to his family. He also said he was delighted to become the first Argentina to win the Ballon d’Or. Given the performances of Messi the past year, it is near impossible to find any other player more deserving of the individual award. It will not be a shock if Messi repeats next year, but his chances&nbsp;will be hindered if&nbsp;his country continues to struggle&nbsp; under Maradona’s leadership and fails to impress in South Africa 2010. Despite the concerns over Argentina and Maradona, who can bet against Messi repeating as the award winner?
<a href="http://answers.polldaddy.com/poll/2324441/">Who Will Win The Ballon d’Or Next Year?</a>(<a href="http://www.polldaddy.com">polls</a>)

Messi Wins Ballon d'Or

Messi Wins Ballon d'Or - World Soccer Talk

<div><figure class="external-image"><img loading="lazy" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-5248" src="/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/ballondorronaldo3.jpg" alt="ballondorronaldo3" width="400" height="257"></figure></div>
Why does the Premier League produce so few Ballon d’Or winners?
This year’s edition of the Champions League has followed the script so far, and unless a major upset occurs in the quarter-finals, then at least one English team will be in the finals for the fifth straight year.
One oft-cited reason for this dominance is that the likes of Man U, Liverpool, and Chelsea have such great spending power that they snap up the best players from around the globe and field untouchable squads of mostly foreign all-stars.&nbsp; Why then, have only two England-based players – Michael Owen in 2001 and Cristiano Ronaldo in 2008 – won the Ballon d’Or?&nbsp; If the EPL does have the best players, shouldn’t they be getting more recognition?
This year doesn’t promise very much different, however.&nbsp; Barcelona’s Leo Messi has been waiting in the wings to claim his prize, and with Ronaldo sulking, and Kaka and Torres injured, it seems that this will finally be his year.
For the European journalists who vote for the winner of football’s most prestigious individual accolade, the players of the EPL can do no right, it seems.&nbsp; Domestic achievement is important for candidates of the award, but the most important factors are showcasing offensive talent in the Champions League and success on the international stage.
Just look at 2007, when Kaka couldn’t help Milan past 4th place in the Serie A (despite the absence of Juventus), but his sizzling form in the UCL and for Brazil deservedly saw him earn the award.
Unfortunately, neither of these helps England-based players.
The EPL’s current dominance of the Champions League comes more from stingy defending than from awe-inspiring offenses.&nbsp; When facing non-British opposition in the knockout stages, when it really matters, the Big Four did not concede a goal at home all of last season, and have not yet this season.&nbsp; Although Vidic, Skrtel, Terry and Toure won’t be hailed the best player in the world this year, their massive contributions keep the UCL a mostly British affair.
Maybe more importantly, on the international level, the stars of the most successful teams do not tend to have England-based players.&nbsp; While there may be more Argentines and Brazilians playing in the EPL these days, players like Kaka, Messi or Ronaldinho in his prime have stayed in Italy or Spain.&nbsp; Further, successful European nations like Italy, Germany, and Spain always have squads based strongly in their home countries.
The same is true of the Three Lions, but it has been often theorized that the high numbers of foreign stars in the EPL actually cause England to under-perform on the international stage.
The quality is undoubtedly there: Torres, Fabregas, Rooney, Gerrard, Ronaldo, etc. can all win the Ballon d’Or.&nbsp; This year probably belongs to Messi.&nbsp; But if the EPL continues to rule the UCL roost, and England-based players continue to have success in the Copa America, European Championship, and World Cup, then the journalists should acknowledge this strength by giving the trophy to Premiership footballers more often.

More Ballon d'Or Winners from the EPL, Please

More Ballon d'Or Winners from the EPL, Please - World Soccer Talk

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