Uefa player of the year (3 Viewers)
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The shortlist for the FIFA World Player of the Year has been released. Steve Wilson analyses the bloated and unnecessary set of selections and points out the inconsistencies
Who exactly comes up with the FIFA World Player of the Year nominations? Every autumn the shortlist reads like it has been collated by an over-awed 10-year old asked to list the 30 most famous names in global football. As well as the celebrity players who are included regardless of their current form, the number of selections means there are always at least half who have absolutely no chance in hell of winning the award – and then there are always the glaring omissions.
This time around Francesco Totti has been ignored. The 2006-07 season was the Roma skipper’s best since the Scudetto-winning campaign of 2001, his unprecedented goal haul earning him the European Golden Boot while helping the Giallorossi to second spot in Serie A and an extended run in the Champions League. Meanwhile, in Milan, Andrea Pirlo suffered one of the worst World Cup hangovers. He may have rediscovered his form now, but over the past 12 months he has been well off the pace – yet he is included.
Looking at some of the other picks you have to wonder how much those trusted with a vote really know? What exactly has Wayne Rooney done in the last year to warrant his inclusion? Even more so, Thierry Henry – who suffered his most dismal season at Arsenal and missed a large part due to injury. Closer to home, Patrick Vieira may have played a part in helping Inter to the championship but was he more influential and important than the likes of Dejan Stankovic or Esteban Cambiasso?
Alessandro Nesta didn’t have a season to remember. Yes he ended it with a Champions League medal, but besides the European exploits did he set Serie A alight? Hardly, he spent half the year in America dealing with his shoulder problem. It seems winning the European Cup automatically earns those with a prior reputation a nod. It is lazy decision-making that suggests those compiling the list made their choices after checking who played in the showpiece Final. Or, with Fabio Cannavaro, that they simply looked back to the World Cup.
Players should be on this list based on merit not name. Personally, if we are stretching this list out to the top 30, I’d have liked to see Scotland ‘keeper Craig Gordon included. He has arguably kept the Tartan minnows in contention single-handedly in Italy’s Euro 2008 group. But when we all know that Kaka is the only serious option – a list of more than three at most is just laughable. Then again this is FIFA, the experts who gave Zinedine Zidane the World Cup Player of the Tournament award at half-time of the Berlin showpiece.
The shortlist for the FIFA World Player of the Year has been released. Steve Wilson analyses the bloated and unnecessary set of selections and points out the inconsistencies
Who exactly comes up with the FIFA World Player of the Year nominations? Every autumn the shortlist reads like it has been collated by an over-awed 10-year old asked to list the 30 most famous names in global football. As well as the celebrity players who are included regardless of their current form, the number of selections means there are always at least half who have absolutely no chance in hell of winning the award – and then there are always the glaring omissions.
This time around Francesco Totti has been ignored. The 2006-07 season was the Roma skipper’s best since the Scudetto-winning campaign of 2001, his unprecedented goal haul earning him the European Golden Boot while helping the Giallorossi to second spot in Serie A and an extended run in the Champions League. Meanwhile, in Milan, Andrea Pirlo suffered one of the worst World Cup hangovers. He may have rediscovered his form now, but over the past 12 months he has been well off the pace – yet he is included.
Looking at some of the other picks you have to wonder how much those trusted with a vote really know? What exactly has Wayne Rooney done in the last year to warrant his inclusion? Even more so, Thierry Henry – who suffered his most dismal season at Arsenal and missed a large part due to injury. Closer to home, Patrick Vieira may have played a part in helping Inter to the championship but was he more influential and important than the likes of Dejan Stankovic or Esteban Cambiasso?
Alessandro Nesta didn’t have a season to remember. Yes he ended it with a Champions League medal, but besides the European exploits did he set Serie A alight? Hardly, he spent half the year in America dealing with his shoulder problem. It seems winning the European Cup automatically earns those with a prior reputation a nod. It is lazy decision-making that suggests those compiling the list made their choices after checking who played in the showpiece Final. Or, with Fabio Cannavaro, that they simply looked back to the World Cup.
Players should be on this list based on merit not name. Personally, if we are stretching this list out to the top 30, I’d have liked to see Scotland ‘keeper Craig Gordon included. He has arguably kept the Tartan minnows in contention single-handedly in Italy’s Euro 2008 group. But when we all know that Kaka is the only serious option – a list of more than three at most is just laughable. Then again this is FIFA, the experts who gave Zinedine Zidane the World Cup Player of the Tournament award at half-time of the Berlin showpiece.
Dinho fights Kaka corner
Milan star Kaka believes that he deserves to win the FIFA World Player of the Year award and Barcelona’s Ronaldinho agrees.
The 30-name shortlist was submitted yesterday for Coaches and captains of national sides to vote on and Kaka is amongst the favourites.
Already tipped to clinch the European Player of the Year award, the Brazilian isn’t modest about his chances of winning the double.
“I think I am a favourite,” he stated. “I had a good Champions League and scored lots of goals to help us win it.
“I believe it would be a recognition of my achievements, but it will be the votes that decide in any case.”
Fellow Selecao star Ronaldinho also made the list of nominees, but agrees that his teammate should scoop the award.
“I really hope that Kaka wins it,” he claimed. “I’m just happy to keep playing at a level that allows me to make this list.”
The two men will play alongside each other as Brazil take on Colombia in a World Cup qualifier on Sunday.
channel 4
Milan star Kaka believes that he deserves to win the FIFA World Player of the Year award and Barcelona’s Ronaldinho agrees.
The 30-name shortlist was submitted yesterday for Coaches and captains of national sides to vote on and Kaka is amongst the favourites.
Already tipped to clinch the European Player of the Year award, the Brazilian isn’t modest about his chances of winning the double.
“I think I am a favourite,” he stated. “I had a good Champions League and scored lots of goals to help us win it.
“I believe it would be a recognition of my achievements, but it will be the votes that decide in any case.”
Fellow Selecao star Ronaldinho also made the list of nominees, but agrees that his teammate should scoop the award.
“I really hope that Kaka wins it,” he claimed. “I’m just happy to keep playing at a level that allows me to make this list.”
The two men will play alongside each other as Brazil take on Colombia in a World Cup qualifier on Sunday.
channel 4
Kaka: I’m A Favourite For FIFA Award
Milan superstar Kaka has declared that he is one of the favourites for this year’s FIFA World Player of the Year award.
The 30-man shortlist for the prize was released and as expected the Brazilian midfielder’s name was one of those nominated.
Kaka had a stunning campaign last season, leading Milan to Champions League glory and finishing as the competition’s top scorer.
"I think I am a favourite," he stated. "I had a good Champions League and scored lots of goals to help us win it,” the 25-year-old said.
"I believe it would be a recognition of my achievements, but it will be the votes that decide at the end of the day."
Kaka’s main challenger for the award is likely to come from Barcelona star Lionel Messi. The explosive Argentine has captured the attention of the football public after a blistering start to the current campaign.
There will be no challenge from last year’s European Golden Boot winner Francesco Totti, or Inter hitman Zlatan Ibrahimovic after both failed to make the list.
If Kaka was to win, it would be the eight time a Brazilian has be crowned FIFA World Player of the Year, since the creation of the award in 1991. Past winners include Romario, Ronaldo (3), Rivaldo and Ronaldinho (2).
goal.com
Milan superstar Kaka has declared that he is one of the favourites for this year’s FIFA World Player of the Year award.
The 30-man shortlist for the prize was released and as expected the Brazilian midfielder’s name was one of those nominated.
Kaka had a stunning campaign last season, leading Milan to Champions League glory and finishing as the competition’s top scorer.
"I think I am a favourite," he stated. "I had a good Champions League and scored lots of goals to help us win it,” the 25-year-old said.
"I believe it would be a recognition of my achievements, but it will be the votes that decide at the end of the day."
Kaka’s main challenger for the award is likely to come from Barcelona star Lionel Messi. The explosive Argentine has captured the attention of the football public after a blistering start to the current campaign.
There will be no challenge from last year’s European Golden Boot winner Francesco Totti, or Inter hitman Zlatan Ibrahimovic after both failed to make the list.
If Kaka was to win, it would be the eight time a Brazilian has be crowned FIFA World Player of the Year, since the creation of the award in 1991. Past winners include Romario, Ronaldo (3), Rivaldo and Ronaldinho (2).
goal.com
Ibra feels FIFA rejection
Inter’s striking phenomenon Zlatan Ibrahimovic admits that he is disappointed to not be nominated for FIFA World Player of the Year.
The 30-man shortlist for the award met with widespread incredulity as a number of Europe’s star names were absent.
As well as Ibrahimovic, last season’s Golden Boot winner Francesco Totti and the prolific Luca Toni missed out.
“I’m obviously disappointed not to be on the list because I always want to win everything,” Zlatan admitted.
“Every award is important to me .A little while ago I won one for the childrens’ TV channel Nickelodeon and even that made me very happy.
“But the important thing is to win with Inter and Sweden – the rest is just a bonus.
“FIFA decide on the nominees and I guess I will just have to work hard to be the best,” he continued.
“You have to remember that there are so many great players in the world, even David Villa and Europe’s top goal scorer Totti aren’t on the list.”
channel 4
Inter’s striking phenomenon Zlatan Ibrahimovic admits that he is disappointed to not be nominated for FIFA World Player of the Year.
The 30-man shortlist for the award met with widespread incredulity as a number of Europe’s star names were absent.
As well as Ibrahimovic, last season’s Golden Boot winner Francesco Totti and the prolific Luca Toni missed out.
“I’m obviously disappointed not to be on the list because I always want to win everything,” Zlatan admitted.
“Every award is important to me .A little while ago I won one for the childrens’ TV channel Nickelodeon and even that made me very happy.
“But the important thing is to win with Inter and Sweden – the rest is just a bonus.
“FIFA decide on the nominees and I guess I will just have to work hard to be the best,” he continued.
“You have to remember that there are so many great players in the world, even David Villa and Europe’s top goal scorer Totti aren’t on the list.”
channel 4
Alberto Parreira: Kaka Is Number One
South Africa Coach Carlos Alberto Parreira has declared that Kaka is the best player in the world and deserves to win this year’s Ballon d’Or.
The Milan superstar has enjoyed a magnificent past 12 months, leading the Rossoneri to Champions League glory after some quite sensational performances.
The 25-year-old is regarded by many to be the best player on the planet currently and he is the hot favourite to be crowned European Footballer of the Year
“He is the number one and deserves the Golden Ball, “ said Parreira. “Right now he is the best player in the world.
“When I spoke with him, I found him very happy to be in Milan, where he found his fame and has built his family. I doubt very much that he wants to leave and I would suggest him not to do so."
Kaka has been continually linked with a move away from San Siro, with Chelsea, and Real Madrid in particular, mooted as possible destinations.
Reports in the English press recently have claimed that Chelsea Chairman Roman Abramovich would be prepared to pay a staggering £100m top bring the Selecao star to Stamford Bridge.
goal.com
South Africa Coach Carlos Alberto Parreira has declared that Kaka is the best player in the world and deserves to win this year’s Ballon d’Or.
The Milan superstar has enjoyed a magnificent past 12 months, leading the Rossoneri to Champions League glory after some quite sensational performances.
The 25-year-old is regarded by many to be the best player on the planet currently and he is the hot favourite to be crowned European Footballer of the Year
“He is the number one and deserves the Golden Ball, “ said Parreira. “Right now he is the best player in the world.
“When I spoke with him, I found him very happy to be in Milan, where he found his fame and has built his family. I doubt very much that he wants to leave and I would suggest him not to do so."
Kaka has been continually linked with a move away from San Siro, with Chelsea, and Real Madrid in particular, mooted as possible destinations.
Reports in the English press recently have claimed that Chelsea Chairman Roman Abramovich would be prepared to pay a staggering £100m top bring the Selecao star to Stamford Bridge.
goal.com