FIFA has finally released the three finalists for the Ballon d’Or Award: Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo, and FC Barcelona’s Xavi and Lionel Messi.
Messi, a two-time winner of the award (2009, 2010), is the favorite to win the award after a magnificent season which saw FC Barcelona win La Liga and the UEFA Champions League.
Cristiano Ronaldo previously won the award in 2008 and could very much so deserve another one this year.
In 2010-11, Ronaldo tallied a ridiculous 53 goals in 54 games. Simply stunning.
The former Manchester United talisman has kept it going this season, bagging 21 goals in just 20 appearances for Los Blancos.
But Lionel Messi has been just as impressive. The crafty Argentine striker scored 53 goals and added 24 assists in 55 games in all competitions last season.
Messi and Ronaldo seem to be from another planet at the moment. Their accomplishments are not just impressive, but truly mind-boggling.
Once again, Messi has kept the pace in 2011-12 tallying 27 goals and 12 assists in just 24 games.
The third and final finalist is Xavi, the heart and soul of FC Barcelona.
Xavi is arguably the most creative midfielder of his generation and has truely revolutionized the position of central midfield.
He is primarily renown for his vision, but he can also have a go at goal on occasion.
The Spanish international scored five goals last season (50 appearances) and has already bagged five this season (22 appearances).
However, Xavi’s impact cannot be measured by just goals and assists.
Not only is Xavi the vice-captain of FC Barcelona, but can control a game in midfield like no other player in the world and that must surely count for something.
That being said, I believe that this a two man race between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Since FC Barcelona won La Liga and the UEFA Champions League, Messi seems to be the easy choice.
However, I would give my first place vote to none other than Cristiano Ronaldo.
Perhaps I feel this way because I have thought for many years that Ronaldo is the best player on the planet, but I think it’s safe to say that either selection would be worthy of the Ballon d’Or.
FIFA also announced the finalists for FIFA Women’s Player of the Year, FIFA Men’s Coach of the Year, and FIFA Women’s Coach of the Year.
Here are the following finalists:
| FIFA WOMEN’S PLAYER OF THE YEAR |
| Marta | Brazil | Western NY Flash |
| Homare Sawa | Japan | INAC Leonessa |
| Abby Wambach | USA | magicJack |
| FIFA MEN’S COACH OF THE YEAR |
| Alex Ferguson | Manchester United |
| Pep Guardiola | Barcelona |
| Jose Mourinho | Real Madrid |
| FIFA WOMEN’S COACH OF THE YEAR |
| Bruno Bini | France |
| Norio Sasaki | Japan |
| Pia Sundhage | United States |
Lionel Messi is no win of this Award,the best winner of this award is CHRISTIANO RONALDO.
maybe something is wrong with you cristiano is no match for messi neither cristiano have won the world cup if thats the reason
Lionel Messi truly desire to win this award…yes,he desired
There is absolutely no reason for Cristiano Ronaldo to win this award. This is not an award for the most goals, he did deserve that one and did win that one. This is for best player in the world, and as long as Messi walks the earth, CR7 is not that. Cristiano’s stunning deficiency is his playmaking ability. He does not possess the same level of soccer mental ability that Lionel Messi does. Cristiano makes straight runs and is very fast and powerful but he does not have the vision to setup those cutting through balls that split defenses open the way Messi can.
well either of them(messi , ronaldo) is still good for ther award .
CR7 is better than messi reason is dat CR7 travel out 3 league 2 play is career but messi is only on club player which is nt proper 4 me CR7 is very gud dan messi le t messi 2 try and play a season in england be 4 it can prof d best.
Cr7 is better dan messi reason y is dat Cr7 travel out 3 league 2 play and it shine till nw but messi is only 1 club player which is bad d world best given 2 him is work over 2 him i belieave if he move away 4rm barca 2 day messi will stop shineing reason is dat messi can nt perform 4 is country but Cr7 but club and country d guy perform wheel Cr7 should be WORld best 2011/2012 cus d guy deserve it.
FIFA stop pershare give d right person d world best which is Cr7 Pls and pls messi over we need d cr7 2 rain in spain.
MESSI IS BETTER DAN CR7 IN EVERYTHING,HE WON MANY CUP FOR HIS CLUB AND COUNTRY,[WORLD CUP UNDER 20 AND OLYMPIC,PLS MENTION ANY CUP THAT CR7 WIN FOR HIS COUNTRY.
MESSI
messi or cr7??
I think CHRISTIANO RONALDO is the best player for now because he has played in different clubs, so if messi think he is the best player, he should also change his club, for he can’t be in one club and call him self world best. RONALDO is better than messi. FIFA must look at all this things before warding players.
That last year award was not 4 either the 2 of them but 4 prof.Xavi,but frankly speaking CR7 is the best in the world because of his ability 2 have played in 3 best league in the world with such an improving performance,indeed he is the best.UP CR7
It appears that a discussion about ‘ballon d’Or’ has quickly dissipated into a slug-match between messi and ronaldo fans….so i’m quite happy to indulge lol!! As an avid ‘student’ of this beautiful game, i have extensively researched this contentious, and often subjective dilemma….’messi or ronaldo….’? Before one can even begin to dissect and compare the two, it’s worth noting, firstly, that the backdrop of this discussion is the fact that both players have already established their reputations as the two most prolific footballers of this generation. Therefore we must acknowledge that despite whichever of the two is deemed ‘second best’ in our minds is still head and shoulders above the remaining footballers of the entire world for an entire generation, and should be regarded as such. Secondly, while their contributions should not be understated, the unsung heroes, xavi and co., would be subject to a separate discussion. For the purposes of this discussion though, an overview suggests that the most overt and potentially defining attributes in differentiating between messi and CR can be summarized as follows: (1) messi has aptly demonstrated his dexterity as a ‘play-maker’, thus, adjunct to his abundance of goals (as an attacking midfielder, as opposed to a genuine striker, like Pele, for example) is his aptitude at creating goal-scoring opportunities for team mates. This can be accredited to a heightened awareness and superlative understanding of the intricacies of movement around him. (2) CR has an innate physique that allows him to excel in other regards. His height superiority over messi, for example, would enhance his ability to meet certain aerial balls thus assisting with ‘headers’. Even so, these natural attributes would be futile without the exquisite technique he demonstrates and those he perfected, viz. his unique ‘free-kick’ style, as well as his running technique(high knee-lift) which aids with speed. His intense work ethic also comes with high acclamation. Messi’s low centre of gravity certainly aids with his mesmerizing ‘close-ball’ control which is second to none as is demonstrated by his uncanny ability to ‘dribble’ through numerous players at a time, at high pace. (3) Perhaps the most defining aspect is Messi’s ability to more often rise to the occasion in ‘big-match’ scenarios (the high-pressure ‘clasico’ matches for example….the stats are numerous and speak for themselves)….probably helps to explain the fact that messi has won alot more trophies over his career as well. This apparent advantage of being ‘mentally stronger’ is the attribute that may ultimately lay this dilemma to rest! Increasingly in sport today we see where grit and the ability to hold one’s nerve under pressure confers a psychological advantage that often separates the best from the rest!
Ps:- When it comes to the highly acclaimed Ballon d’Or, please bear in mind that it is a vastly experienced and adequately informed panel who adjudicate on such matters based on specifically outlined criteria which we may not be privy to. It’s all good and well for each of us to have an opinion on who should eventually win, but it’s the job of this vastly diverse and prolific panel of footballing specialists to deliberate on that matter. Who are we to disagree with an ENTIRE panel, especially persons of such footballing repute!! sigh
Messi first, Cavani second Ronaldo third.
CRISTIANO RONALDO – FOR SURE
many ppl ave comment over (king linel 4 nt playing in another league so he does not deserved to be cal best player, now i want to ask u ppl a question .is it a must 4 a player to play in many league we can no him as d best player? To me no the truth is that ones a player is good let us encorage him so blf it or not king messi deserve win world best player of the year even more than 4times concecutvly up messi up barca, up barca up gadiola.