Cristiano Ronaldo
Let's face facts: Cristiano Ronaldo has been the best player in the world for the past season. He scored 42 total goals, 31 of them in the Premier League. But those stats don't tell the full story.
Ronaldo has always been famous for his flicks and tricks, but he showed more composure and end-product last season than in all the previous seasons combined. Ronaldo is a player that can score on about every given opportunity; free kicks, penalties, headers, long range, and more.
There has been an ongoing debate about Lionel Messi being the better player, but I think that Cristiano Ronaldo deserves that crown without question.
Lionel Messi
Lionel Messi is like a magician on the football pitch. The way he twists and turns defenders, the way he quickly switches direction in the blink of an eye. He is widely regarded as the successor to Maradona, and at only 21, Messi is well on his way to being even better than Maradona.
But Messi's season was plagued by injuries. If he had played more games last season, and if Barcelona had participated in the Champions League, then Messi would have been my pick to win the Ballon d'Or.
Kaka
Kaka is only 26, but it feels like he's been around for ages. He has been one of the best midfielders in the world for the past four years. He has the vision of Fabregas, the touch of Messi, and the speed of Ronaldo.
Unfortunately, his season was also hampered by injuries. If he was able to play more games, then he might have had the opportunity to surpass Ronaldo and Messi.
Cesc Fabregas
Cesc Fabregas, at the young age of 21, is the best play-maker in the world. No one creates goals like Fabregas, few can pass like him, and he has some of the best control in the business.
Fabregas made a career as a creative midfielder, but last season he added a knack for goal-scoring to his game. His goal against AC Milan at the San Siro was a spectacle of absolute brilliance. If he had managed to propel Arsenal to the top of the Champions League, then he would have been higher up in my list.
Fernando Torres
When Rafa Benitez splashed out £25 million on Atletico Madrid striker Fernando Torres, many wondered if he could handle the Premier League or if he was simply a waste of money.
But considering what he has brought to the team, he should be considered a bargain. He is one of the deadliest finishers there is, and the Premier League hasn't seen such a striker since Thierry Henry.
What I love about Torres is his ability to make a big play even when he's getting bullied out of a match. For a debut season you could not ask for more.
Honourable Mentions
•Iker Casillas, who had a brilliant season in goal and was probably Real Madrid's player of the season.
•Xavi, who was brilliant at the European Championships and was the Player of the Tournament.
•Sergio Aguero, who earned La Liga Player of the Season honours and developed into a more matured player.
•David Villa, who ended up as the top scorer at Euro 2008, and managed to carry a struggling Valencia club with an impressive 18 goals.
17 comments Last one added 8 months ago — Leave a Comment
Yoosof Farah 9 months ago
ronaldo to win it! to be honest, i can't really see anyone else winning it. messi, torres, kaka, fabregas, they're all great players, but ronaldo is in a league of his own ... well he was last season lol.
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zain 9 months ago
Its a shame that stupid dancer is compared to a Legend Lionel Messi, if the stupid dancer gets the Award for scoring then it will be biggest joke because last year in spanish League there was some xyz Top scorer, so why dosnt he gets the best player Award....
In this World No body can Be Compared To Legend Lionel Messi not atleast a Stupid Dancer...
Legend Lionel Messi Rules this PLanet...
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Ricky O'Neal 9 months ago
The biggest shock will be if Ronaldo doesn't pick up the award after what he achieved last season compared to Messi or any of the other nominees for that matter.
He might be a stupid dancer but 42 goals, Premier Leauge and Champions Leauge winners medals are accolades and achievements you simply can't ignore. The award will lose my respect if Ronaldo doesn't win.
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illya mclellan 8 months ago
you make no sense, top scorer in the spanish league should get ballon d'or?
Lionel Messi is great but so is Cristiano Ronaldo, it seems odd you cannot see it.
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Efosa Osaghae 9 months ago
Well said Ricky , The competition must be rigged if Ronaldo doesn't win the award
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zain 9 months ago
Well Ricky as i said if its 42 goals is to be count then its better to give a Top Goal Scorer of Spanish League that would be better, Respect is only for Legends and that Goes to Legend Lionel Messi because he is uncompitable...
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elshaday Je suis le roi 9 months ago
i guess u didnt see where he said premier league and champions league medals...don't bring up torres, liverpool finished 4th, don''t bring up messi, olympic bullshit, 3rd! in la liga, n kaka fell off the face of the planet..its not just the amount, its the magnitude of them, he almost single handedly won everything for man u last year..
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jazzy bains 9 months ago
ohhh huuu as a contender fr best player awards wich is based on d last years play,goals,trophies,,,and of course respect around the globe....so simple CRISTIANO RONALDO....GUYS KAKA OR EVEN MESSI WONT BE THERE IN D TOP 3..AND UR TALKIN ABT THM WINNING...KAKAKK OHH PLZZ GIV ME A BIG BREAKK....DEY ARENT EVEN IN UCL....LOL......MESSI A PATIENT LAST SEASON....LOL....A BILLY KID CNT GET PAST RIO FERDINANDS LEGS...A BLADY JUNK PIECE...MESSI A 1 DIMENSIONAL PLAYER.....CRISTIANO ROONALDOO OVERALL BEAUTY PERSONIFIED....THT SPEED,,ENDURANCE,,,ACCURACY OF GOALS ,,,,HATTRICKS,,,,LUK THOSE BULLET FIRED FREEKICKS......AANDD OFCOUSRE DRIBBLING,,,AND LIL SMARTNESS MAKES A PLAYER GRT...SO MESSI HS SM OF IT....BT RONNY HAS MCH MORE IN HIZ NEW PACKAGES FOR CMIN YEARS.....ONCE DEFENDERS CM TO CRACK MESSI ON HIZ ATTACK HE WILL BE FRUSTRATED AND WIL LEAVE FUTBAL AND START SELLIN FISH IN BUENO AIRES....OR SM TIMBUKTU......CR7 HS LOVELY BENTLEYS AND LIVES IN PORSCHE BUNGLOW IN ROYAL ENGLAND....SPAIN LOW ON ECONOMY...SUCKS AND MADRID AND BARCA PEOPLE CNT EVEN GT CLOTHES AND FOOD TO HAVE....SO THERE R SM BIG ISSUES IN SPAIN AND BARCA TO HANDLE.....IM A CRAZY MANUTD AND FAB 4 FANS......OR FANTASTIC 4.....ROONEY,RONALDO,TEVEZ,BERBATOV......THS A TOP
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Kirenga ALARST 8 months ago
It's simple to vote after you have seen the actions. If you follow the activities which was done by each you can't miss to give it to Ronaldo. But is possible only when your bi handed. "to hide the wright thing"
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Neil Melms 8 months ago
I can't understand how Iker and maybe even Villa are honorable mentions. I believe Iker is one of the favorites to win this award. Although I don't think that he will win the award, he should get more recognition as he will become the number one goalkeeper in the world.
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Efosa Osaghae 8 months ago
1. I find it hard that a goalkeeper would win this award
2.Iker is already the best goalkeeper
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Neil Melms 8 months ago
1. I clearly stated that I didn't take he would win the award but just saying he deserves better than an mention. Just my opinion.
2. I don't think he is at the moment. His reflex is his best asset but it doesn't make you the best, but he will be sooner rather than later.
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Alex Stamp 8 months ago
Iker Casillas is probably more of a favourite to win it than Cesc Fabregas. Casillas was a starter for Spain, unlike Cesc. Won domestic silverware, unlike Cesc, and unlike Cesc is arguably the best player in the world right now in his position.
Ronaldo's the deserved favourite, but his public dalliance with Real Madrid, and his poor form at the Euro's have certainly cut his chances. Don't forget that this is an award decided by journalists. Players from British teams habitually perform poorly in these rankings. This allied with resentment in Spain over Ronaldo's will he won't he saga with Real could cost him. In Spain there is a big move for Messi or Casillas to get it, powered by the Catalan and Madrid media respectively.
Ronaldo should get it, but don't be surprised if he doesn't, and if he doesn't then I doubt very much that it will be purely football related.
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Efosa Osaghae 8 months ago
1.If Fabregas is n't arguably the best centre midfielder in the world in your eyes then you dont know Fabregas
2.What does Ronaldo trying to push a move to Real Madrid affect his chances
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Alex Stamp 8 months ago
Because journalists in Spain have a massive influence on who gets picked for the award, they are linked to journalists around the world, rather than British journalists who aren't. Don't get me wrong, I still believe Ronaldo will win the award, just that through his own conduct he's rather set himself up for a fall. Secondly, Fabregas isn't the best midfielder in the world. For his age he probably is, but there are better midfielders at the moment, even one in his own national team. Xavi got player of the tournament at Euro 2008 and has been playing very well for Barca, and is keeping Fabregas out of the Spanish team.
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ron jjon 8 months ago
Kaka won the award last year beaucse he scored more goals in the CL than any other player and also becase he played well throughout the tornament . ronaldo did the same last year , he is the only midfielder i have heard who has scored 42 goals in one season . Messi is a very good player but the boy spent the greater part of the season on the sidelines due to injuries . statistics available shows that ronaldo deserves the award this year .
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Nathan Lowe 8 months ago
To be fair, I have a similar article discussing an opposite viewpoint located here: Here.
And although I suck at using HTML, I believe any argument over this subject should be reserved for when said article has been read -- otherwise I stray from self-promotion -- except the relevance precludes me here. Of course I am tongue in cheek. Your article is a fair analysis of the contenders, although I'd suggest we triangulate this issue!
Good analysis -- I'd use the word "I" less to make the communication a bit more powerful. Of the favorites surely Ronaldo is most deserving, any different outcome and we'll all be scrambling to write conspiracy articles come December.
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