According to Jose Mourinho, Cristiano Ronaldo deserves this year’s Ballon d’Or.
The Portuguese international bagged 46 goals and 12 assists in 38 league games for Los Blancos in 2011-12, and added 10 goals and three assists in 10 UEFA Champions League appearances.
More importantly, Ronaldo was the best player on the best La Liga team of all-time.
In 2011-12, Real Madrid became the only club in the history of the Spanish Primera to tally 100 points in a single season.
Los Blancos also set the record for most away points in a season (50), most points in the second half of a season (53) and most league goals scored in a season.
In short, Ronaldo fully deserves to win this year’s Ballon d’Or.
With that said, some may argue that Lionel Messi, who scored 50 goals in La Liga this season, deserves to win football’s most prestigious individual award yet again.
Jose Mourinho begs to differ.
“Cristiano has to be the Ballon d’Or winner, not because he was the top scorer, which he already was last season, but because his goals won the league,” the Real Madrid boss told SIC.
“Messi scored 50 goals that have not been worth anything, just as Cristiano scored 42 last season that were not worth anything.
“Cristiano has not been able to win the top scorer award and I think that should now be offset by the Ballon d’Or.”
‘Second-tier Candidates’
Robin van Persie: The Dutch striker enjoyed his best season in professional football in 2011-12, tallying 38 goals and 10 assists for club and country. In addition, he led Arsenal to a third-place finish after a dismal start to the campaign. Had Arsenal won the English Premier League, Van Persie may have been “right there” with Ronaldo and Messi, but that was never really going to happen.
Mario Gomez: Gomez was on cracking form for Bayern Munich all season long. He finished 2011-12 with 48 goals and five assists for club and county, including 12 Champions League strikes. Even if Bayern Munich win the UCL, Gomez will probably not win the award even though he may deserve it.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic: Quietly, but surely, Ibra put together a sensational campaign with AC Milan. Although Zlatan failed to win the league title for the first time since the 2003-04 season, he still managed to seal a second place finish for the Rossoneri. Oh and by the way, he registered 28 goals and six assists in 32 Serie A appearances.
All things considered, Cristiano Ronaldo should win this year’s Ballon d’Or despite Real Madrid’s failure to win the Champions League. It’s as simple as that to be honest.
.. not being biased, but I agree with Jose. He was clearly neutral with what he said and even admitted that Ronaldo’s Pichichi last year was worthless coz it didn’t gave them any trophy. Even if a player has scored 100 goals in a league but doesn’t win a trophy, it’s practically worthless.
.. so yeah, Ronaldo deserves it more this year than Messi.
Messi has to win it again as he scored the most goals ever in a season. I think most will vote for Messi again as unlike ronaldo he is not a petulant egomaniac.
Ronaldo will win. Trophies are what count. Messi won la liga and e champions league last season and so he earned it. This season its ronaldo’s turn
messi reached a height no one in my living memory ever reached, go to the top goal scorers of all titme and tell me if you ever seen these players playing live. thats bigger than CL or PL on a player’s calender. braking up to 18 records in 1 season should be rewarded!!
selectors are what counts, trophies are also medals, and only mourinho gets it wromg , mourinho is good when taking presssure off his players but now he should tell us what ronaldo thinks and that is just that “I think messi is better sir?”
I think Messi deserve it again because he has been broken many records of FIFA . He bagged 50 goals in a single la liga season, maintain champion league highest scorer of all time in a single season by hitting 14 goals, scored 72 goals in a single season surpassing Gurd mullar, became highest scorer of all time of knock out stage of champion league , has 28 assist, become top scorer of all time of FC Barcelona , made a new history scoring 5 goals in a single match of champion league. I love to see Ronaldo as well, if Ronaldo was in different era than Messi he might win ballondor too many times but right man born in a wrong time so he has shadowed by Messi magic. This year also it will not be surprised if Messi win ballondor. Mourinho can claim but it has no meaning for the decision. The only game Ronaldo played better game than Messi is second EL Classico at camp nau.
I think ronaldo derserve the ballon d or last year he was the laliga and european highest goalscorer but this season isnot so.remenber he isthe source of realmadrid success so ronaldo should be given the award.\
Messi deserve it,for a player to be consistently playing good football in a cool and non arogant way…Consistently braking records and setting records.This season he won the club world cup,became top scorer of all time for fc barcelona,highest goal scorer of all time in la liga,highest goal scorer of all time in the UCL,the only player to ever score 5 goals in the uefa champions league and so on.This guy is great,they even compare him to pele the legend. Baloteli once said he is the best player after messi,knowing fully well that messi is the best,pele once also said… I have edge over messi, so what are saying,he is the best ever.
Yaya toure should win
Ronaldo deserves 2 win d’or, cos he has a trophy dis yr unlik magic messi if favoritism is absent
Barcelona is my team, but I was really dissapointed in Messi’s performance against Chelsea at Nou Camp and in the Classico at home. I realize that he was well marked as an obvious threat, but the player of his calibre should have been able to do more than he did. I’d love to see him take it again, but I’m afraid it’s going to be that ***hole Ronaldo.
messi is the best 4 the all time football history,bcos he break records and set records which are about 18 in a single season which non of the players did in the history of football. So messi will win ballon d’or 4 the 4th time in a row.
For me,i think L Messi should be the target 4 this year’s ballon d’or award.He’s proved better than Ronaldo in all competitions this season
.. but we also have to remember we have the EUROs coming this summer, if Ronaldo can help Portugal reach the Semi’s, then it will help him with the bid for the Best Player Award.
.. but on club level Ronaldo did better than Messi, WHY ?? Coz he helped his team Real Madrid achieve a record 100 points. Yes, Messi has 50 goals in La Liga compared to Ronaldo’s 46. But Messi failed to help Barca retain their La Liga Crown; Barca is 9 points behind Real Madrid, that’s why the 50 goals of Messi don’t mean nothing coz it did not win them anything.
messi is the man
Cr7 must win everything and he must take back his tittle because it belongs to him. Messi a/h must go and sleep as he often does. These messi fanatics must go and jump. Evrything must belong to Cr7
Messi= decisive goal in Spanish Super Cup, broke Barca record of most goals, first to break CL record of most goals, first to score 5 goals in a game after CL was reformed, broke most Laliga goals record by CR7, broke Gerd Muller’s record and scored 50 goals although plating a game short of CR7 plus 15 assists. 3 goals against 0 in international friendlies.
CR7= Laliga trophy ( did he win it by himself?), first player to score goals against every single team in Laliga and … oops nothing more.
Please do the math and stop being parrots repeating what Special NO One said!
Cloud,
Please do not bother to include ” not being biased” in your comments because the very fact you are RM fan is the solid testimony to proving the opposite, unfortunately!
I do, though, agree with you that Ballon d’Or is not solely limited to La Liga or the DUO. We have CL finals and more importanly EURO 2012 upon us. Let’s be patient and let so many others demonstrate themselves in those potential matches so we will be able to have more informed and grounded comments and votes to determine this year’s Ballon d’Or. I can’t blame the media for bringing up the topic on the wrong time ( I mean too early) simply because it is appealing to damn too many fans and guess what almost all of them are either Barca or RM fans! They (media) are goood!
.. oybek, keep your cool dude. act like your profession please, don’t be like Don who always do name calling. you calling Jose SPECIAL NO ONE is disappointing, you being a psychiatrist.
.. i’m level headed with this, Messi broke lots of records this year, but what’s important is the trophies. On different discussions I acknowledged Messi winning it last year coz he deserved it, this year, no matter how many records he breaks but he don’t have the trophy to back them up, it’s still worthless.
.. but yeah, this discussion is quite early, we still have the EUROs and half of a season of next year to determine the winner.
cloud, if you are not comfortable with me calling Jose Mou Special No One, then simple construe it as Special No. 1.
I have a feeling that this guy ( Special No. 1) works for media. He is clever enough to realize that nothing he says about Ballon d’Or matters since CR7 works for him and it is way too early to have this discussion. He probably made this sour story to stir up reactions among football community. Guess what it is working! The story is the hottest topic under discussion in every single forum or website devoted to soccer and generated thousands of comments.
.. wow oybek, it’s just WOW !!!
.. i totally lost all my respect to you with that name-calling and “script writing” about Jose. I would expect that kind of statement coming from morons and one-sided fans… but coming from you – a psychiatrist, such a shame.
.. back on topic, this discussion might be too early, but it still fit since we just ended the season and it’s normal for people to ask or argue/discuss to who’s the best player.
.. and on defense about Jose, yeah, he doesn’t know what he’s doing; he only won in Portugal, England, Italy and Spain. He belongs to the group of lamest coaches like Sir Alex, Fabio Capello, Carlo Ancelloti and Pep Guardiola.
Cloud,
I never asked for your respect!
I can clearly see your immence respect to Special No.1, which you are by all means entitled to and expected to. Inspired by him, you are also stepping into his shoes by the unbearably arrogant and cock-of -the walk content of your comments which is spoiling professional exchange of ideas in every single topic you address to. If anything, you are the one to be ASHAMED of.
Why would you expect everyone to feel the same way as you do about your ROLE MODEL? As much as you do, I have my own reasons and more importantly inalienable rights to express my ideas about people like Mr Mou. If my exercising these rights is bothering you, just ignore my comments but do you not ever post unattractive and insulting stuff for the sake of the people working hard to run this forum.
You can have your bombastic arguments about backing your Role Model; I simply couldn’t care less. For me, coaches have very little if anything to do with club’s success. All the credit are to be paid to the players who creat the success. Again. this is my PERSONAL opinion. So your litte argument about Jose winning champs in four countries are nothing more than bla-bla to me!
PS you can call me a psychiatrist as long as you wish. Doing so seems to be one of the rare stuff to add pleasure to your life!
RRRoooonaaaalllllldooooooooo wins!!!!!!! lov u cr7…
Barcelona has more experienced players, and what most would consider better players, at this point, than real madrid. Madrid still controlled this year’s la liga. Who would have predicted that at the start of the season? Now a LOT of credit goes to Mourinho for this because he is such a good coach, but this year Ronaldo has meant more to his team than in the past and he played a big part in helping them win the title. RVP is also a really really good player but Arsenal didn’t win the title this year so I have to go with Ronaldo.
It has to be Ronaldo this time. Even if Messi ends up deserving it more via goal scoring superiority, Ronaldo has the titles this year to back his claim up. Messi, unfortunately for him, doesn’t have the title(s).
Messi doesn’t have a title YET!
CR7 is a person with multidimentinal abilities. On the pitch, when he scores a goal, he can put a stripshow exposing his thighs, but when he fails to deliver he tends to limp to trick people into thinking he may be injured. Outside the pitch, he plays with his tongue like claiming he is better than messi. All in all, he deserves Best Male Actor award by the Academy! If only Ballon D’eor were awarded to actors!
.. simple logic to follow: LA LIGA GOAL COUNT:
.. Ronaldo 46 goals = Madrid with 100 points
.. Messi 50 goals = Barca with 91 points
.. i’m not trying to rub it on everybody’s shoulders that cr7 should win, but just follow that logic above and think objectively not subjectively.
.. on the UCL, Messi broke many records such as the 14 goals in one campaign, the first player to score 5 goals in one game….. but, as fascinating as they are, Barca are still ousted by Chelsea in the Semis. The FINALS will be Chelsea Vs Bayern. Still, those records of Messi are astonishing but doesn’t count since they’re not even in the Finals.
.. the trophies are what matters most..
@yup, I couldn’t agree with you more with what Jose has achieved. He did kept his promise to make the team better in his second season; they broke Barca 99 point record and many Club ( within Real ) records. And in theory he made Pep resign coz Pep can’t take the pressure anymore coming from Jose.. but this theory is just a long shot.
Ha ha, thank you for the correction, Oybek. I should’ve taken the rest of this year into account.
Isn’t Ballon d’Or awarded to individual players in recognition of their achievements throughout the season? If Messi has had an unmatched season but his club has had somewhat inferior year, would it be reasonable to blame him? Conversely, RM has had a great season courtesy of many and many great players but would it be impartial of us to attribute this success to an individual player- C. Ronaldo? The fact of the matter is C. Ronaldo improved this season compared to the previous one but he has not surpassed not even equaled Messi.
I take an extreme issue with the utopian theory that Jose had something to do with Pep’s retirement. Realistically, it was Pep that nullified all Mou’s efforts ever since he came to RM. First devastating clash (5-0), CL semis last year, Spanish Supercopa last year, two embarassing loses at Bernabeau this season, one of which kicked RM out of Copa Del Rey. Now that he finally succeeded in EL Classico, he is a hero out of nowhere? Come to think of it, it was Mr. Mou considering leaving RM earlier this season but upon Pep’s announcement about retirement, he began to beg RM stay by promises of greater season next. Now you tell me who is avoiding pressure from who?
Back on the topic, if Mr Mou had profound reasons to tip C. Ronaldo, would he bother giving this interview to the media? If C. Ronaldo were convinced of his winning this award, would he bother to announce without shame that he is better than Messi? They know that media controls people’s mind which can be decisive in votes, which tells me they are just doing some strategy work. Deserving winners are out there playing the ball with their minds and feet and NOT with their tongues!
Since when goals are worthless or unimportant if they did not end in trophies? Messi scored almost half of Barca’s total this season. Didn’t that allow Barca to stay in CL qualifying spot for next year? Why would one expect them to be the first all the time? In leagues like EPL, there are teams striving to death to qualify for CL spots. Considering the pressure upon them and relatively more games they had ( Copa Del Rey semis, World Cup of clubs) than their arch rivals, shoudn’t we give them some benefit of doubt? They are not machines after all!
Yes, admittedly Messi failed to score against superclubs but who wouldn’t have when surrounded by at least 4 opponents even before touching the ball? Why ain’t anyone mentioning his superb passes or assists that resulted in the ouster of RM at Copa Del Rey quarter finals among many others?
I agree with you Hayojon that Special No.1 and C. Ronaldo want to win Ballon d’Or so desperately that they both are constantly playing mind-games and forgetting that they are trying to cross a bridge before reaching it.
.. hayotjon and oybek, since you’ve mentioned the word DESERVING. Did Messi deserve his second award better than Xavi or Iniesta ?? Can any of you defend to why he won it rather than Xavi or Iniesta ?? These three won the same trophies in club level coz of course they’re team mates, but the Spaniards have what Messi don’t that year – Xavi and Iniesta WON THE WORLD CUP. How in the world was Messi much better than them ??
.. and why are you guys putting too much weight to why Jose said those words this early; it’s obvious he was asked that question and he just gave a straight answer.
.. it’s such a mystery to why people ( Barca fans ) can’t see how good Jose as a coach is. His track record is amazing and still you guys see him like he’s one stupid bloke. yeah, Madrid was trashed by Barca during his first season, that was normal since it’s a transition phase for Madrid. But on his second year, he kept his promise and gave madrid their best season so far.
.. me, as a Madridista I admire Pep Guardiola, being his first taste of senior coaching and he’s made success upon success.
.. it’s just crazy to discuss with people who are one-sided.
To me, Iniesta should have won the Ballon D’or in 2010. For one, his achievements with Barca are worthy, but the biggest thing that stands out is that he scored the match winning goal in the final of the WC against Holland.
If we were to compare that to Messi, we’d still see the silverware won with the Catalan side, plus a whole lot more goals scored than what Iniesta got. But Messi failed to even score a goal during the World Cup! And Argentina got completely wiped out in the quarterfinals as well.
.. exactly Brad. The whole point here is people are now solely focused on Messi. That they forget that there are others who’s achievement are worth of praise. He’s a damn good player, one of the best today. But we should give credit to where it’s due.
.. it’s irritating to know that a player who’s team was trashed in the quarters won the best player accolade that year. Iniesta nor Xavi should have won. oh yeah, that was a World Cup Year. Proves to show that many people are blind or just plain biased.
.. and let me just add that it’s a given that Messi should score goals – He’s a Striker – THAT’S HIS JOB. Unsung heroes like Xavi and Iniesta are the one’s creating the plays.
Cloud, Brad, thanks for such comprehensive comments.
Honestly, I am perplexed by your comments; I thought this discussion was about Messi vs. C. Ronaldo. Now that you mentioned 2010 Ballon d’Or awarding, let me help you understand that all your arguments add weight to the proposition that Messi is the most deserving candidate this year.
FIFA Ballon d’Or mission statement enunciates that Ballon d’Or is awarded to a player who is considered to have performed the best in the previous season. The very fact that both Iniesta and Xavi were not awarded FIFA Ballon d’Or albeit having had successful performance both club and World Cup 2010 level is sufficient testimony to the truism that the player’s track of individual performance throughout a season comes first as opposed to his club and/or national team’s performance.
I agree that Messi did not succeed in both CL 2010 and World Cup 2010 but he was voted to deserve FIFA Ballon d’Or solely because he had had more outstanding performance individually than the other two nominees. His poker against Arcenal in quaterfinals of CL 2010 is the prime example. Incidentally, he has had two of those supported by a penta-trick in CL among other achievements this season.
It could be that C. Ronaldo will win the award under discussion after all, but I am convinced that he would not deserve it outright. If anything, Messi would still be proud to make it damn hard for voters to make a final decision. Mr Mou’s pre-emptive strike clearly suggests that it is going to be extremely fierce for voters this year to make a rational choice between these two.
Cloud, you can have your personal doubts on FIFA’s decisions re Ballon d’Or but that doesn’t necessarily mean you can use them to support your arguments. Doubts are doubts and for the healthy flow of ideas in this room, it is best that we act on the assumption that all the FIFA decisions bear rational character.
By the way, cheers Oybek for having commented on me. You put it right a combination of factors including Barca’s bad luck with fixture and draws, their fatique, and possibly their underestimation of some teams like Osasuna and Chelsea this season have told on their overall performance. To that may be added Mess’s sheer fame of offence and goal scoring toll made it hard for him to perform like he used to in the matches againts superclubs.
I give it 2 ronaldo bcos he has trophy 2 show 4 it.
Jose Mourinho have an incurable sickness and anybody who didn’t before applying whatever he says is also sick and having brain problem. Have we all soon forgoten how he speak against Chelsea before Barca and even before Beryern M gaim? Messi somehow favourite for Balon d’or award sincerely speaking, because it is an individua award, on like 2004 and 2005 Ronaldinho won it, and 2010 when Messi retain it for second time. The only miracle this time is, if Ronaldo win EUROP 2012 he may be consider. If it is base on trophies, i think Chelsea player will consider also, because Messi have win Spanish super cup against R/Madrid, UEFA super cup against FC Porto, Club World cup against FC Santos of Brazil with another final in Spanish Kings cup anything can happen, so Messi has already claim his award for the fourth time on a role, simple.
Messi Deserves it……. 1. He has broken several european cup legendary histories this season 2. He has the highest number of goals. 3. He did not go trophy less…despite the copa del rey is yet to be played. 4. La liga trophy and Copa del rey are all spanish indeginous trophies, so they are are same. 5. Messi has been outstanding for the past two years, he has always left a landmark each year. 6. He is more of a team player than anyone in europe. 7. Ronaldo most goals this season are more of penalties and less assist. 8. Messi has most goal assist this season. 9 Messi has won two champoions league for his club so far and so many individual awards……Ballon D’Or should go to LIONEL MESSI…..BEST PLAYER OF AL TIMES
Earnestly speaking Mourinho and Ronaldo are just too desperate in World football ever since the time they make it as a player and as a coach, the evidence is there for all to see, going back to thier past record in thier formal clubs past and present. Mourinho at chelsea has severaly attack on C/Ronaldo at Man u , and once call over pamper irresponsible boy while as a Man U player, and he also declare Frank Lampard World best ahead of Ronaldinho, Mourinho at Inter Milan also declare Z/Ibrahimovic World best ahead of C/Ronaldo 2008, and Schneider also World ahead of Messi, Xavi and Iniesta. And what we the rest of the World to realise is that, once u are not with Mourinho u nobody and u are zero before him, he can attack u anytime he fill like. What arrogant and unapreciative waku he is, This same Barca he attack here and then this made him what he is as a Coach, i’m not even suprise look at what said about Cheseal befor Barca s/final and B/Munich final, he only want to be heared always
uhmmnn what a good topic…
.. mr oba, isn’t that called mind-games ?? The first to do that is Sir Alex, he blast away his opponents coach and team during press conferences. Jose opted for the same tactic and went to extremes. Coz if Jose is indeed an asshole like you people think he, then why is he winning everytime ??? Porto, Chelsea, Inter and Madrid. Being an asshole and arrogant won’t earn you the trust of your players, but why is his players from each of those teams give him so much respect ??
Cloud, Mourinho is NOT winning everytime- he is winning from time to time. Then why shouldn’t he, having coached the best teams in each championship you listed and having been truly overpriced all the time? Realistically, which magic tactic or anything he did this season at RM made a marked change in RM’s La Liga season this year? Lemme guess he was sent off once and avoided press for a while- that must have inspired RM!
The only reason RM succeeded this season has to do the fact that Barca unwillingly let them by failing to capitalize on their fullest potential! You see your Jose got lucky!
You can’t say that all the players respected him all the time unless you have been alongside with him throughout the period.
@hayotjon, thanks for the decent replies, no name-calling whatsoever.
.. anyway, I too am confused to how the coaches and voters panel judge the player of the year.
.. if we are to base solely on individual performance, LAST YEAR; Ronaldo broke the Spanish goal record in one season that was held for more than 30 years. He only won the Copa Del Rey. Messi was behind in the La Liga goal standings but were equal in the overall goal count. But Messi won la liga and the UCL. So, if we base it on individual merit, Ronaldo deserve it better coz of his record breaker.
.. and if we are to base it on trophies, well, the 2010 World Cup Year, that Xavi nor Iniesta should win is my main case.
.. mardon, you said:
The only reason RM succeeded this season has to do the fact that Barca unwillingly let them by failing to capitalize on their fullest potential! You see your Jose got lucky!
.. that’s being a sourgrape. guess you’ll be on the ignore list from now on. I’ve found a good and respectable discuss-mate in hayotjon ….
.. oh mardon, while you’re at it, on Real’s History alone, this season has been their best. so yeah, Jose is one dumb stupid coach.
Hey, cloud
You are not supposed to like or agree with my points; they were meant for the public in view of your comment.
I am truly amazed by your humble perspective and expectation of RM as your club. Seriously, Spanish Super copa clash and Copa Del Rey quarters and CL semis all to the detriment of RM and you still call this the best season ever! Honestly, I have no words… I wish every RM fan not blinded by Barca hatred felt the same way.
ronaldo obviously shld win iregadless of wat comes wat.
i’m surprised by the fact that this topic is up for discussion. Mourinho is simply trying to bully Ronaldo and Real Madrid to the top. I think it an insult to the various league to consider, Spanish super cup, UEFA super cup, Club World cup, Europe golden boot, and pichichi as not winning nothing. In addition, Messi tied the record for the golden boots plus broke the pichichi all time record. There is still the Copa Del Rey to play for, but i guess this will be considered not winning nothing also. The sadest things is the amount of people that believe mourinho’s garbage.