Tuesday 8 January 2013

Messi's well-deserved Ballon d'Or crowns an amazing year

He can't wear that again. I hope he only rented it.
Lionel Messi deservedly collected his fourth consecutive FIFA Ballon d'Or at a glittering ceremony in Zurich not least because of his bling-encrusted choice of dinner jacket and matching bowtie!

Not even Roxy Music's sax player would've chosen something that brash. Even John Barnes gasped at his choice of evening wear!

Cristiano Ronaldo and Andres Iniesta were the two others nominated, but in a year of individual goalscoring achievements with an astonishing 91 for the calendar year, few would argue with the pre-eminence of the Argentine in 2012.

So who voted for who? Here's a fascinating slideshow which demonstrates the tactical voting and nepotism in some of the voting. Despite that, FIFA can more than justify the three that were nominated this year.

Early tip for at least a nomination next year? Radamel Falcao, who figured in many a player's personal top three - including the third choice of England manager Roy Hodgson.

Falcao's certain to be top of the shopping lists of all the major European clubs.

3 comments:

  1. Ronaldo should have won the golden ball, is not football about winning trophies. La liga was one by CR7's real madrid, beating lionel messi's all conquering barcelona in a straight fight over 38 games. Margin of victory nine points.
    Euro 2012 - Ronaldo inspired his nation Portugal to the semi-finals and only went out to the eventual winners Spain on penalties. And don't forget Portugal were the better side in a evenly fought contest with Ronaldo having a marvellous opportunity towards the end of the second half.
    Goals or trophies you pick.....

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  2. Ronaldo deserved the Ballon d'Or. He was the inspiration behind Real Madrid's la liga triumph over Lionel Messi's Barcelona in 2012. The margin of victory over the all-conquering Barca was nine points.
    Euro 2012 - Ronaldo once again led his team this time his country Portugal to the last four losing to the eventual winners Spain on penalties. Ronaldo had a wonderful opportunity to win the game in normal time at the end of the match but even his inspired performance in Poland/Ukraine could not stretch that far.
    Goals or trophies you pick......

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's always trophies, Danny Boy. Football is a team game - it's about collective glory, it's about being the best of the bunch and Zidane achieved that at every level.

      When Messi wins the World Cup in Brazil to put the cherry on top of his Barcelona icing, it's only then that he'll be a peer of the Frenchman!

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