Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Xavi shortlisted for the Ballon d'Or

Your Airbag

Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Xavi have been named on a three-man shortlist for the prestigious Fifa Ballon d'Or.


Messi, 24, won the prize in 2009 and 2010, while Barcelona team-mate Xavi, 31, was runner-up last year.


Real Madrid's Ronaldo, 26, triumphed in 2008 and has twice finished second.
Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney has been nominated for Goal of the Year, while boss Sir Alex Ferguson is in contention for Coach of the Year.


The 69-year-old Scot is up against Barcelona boss Pep Guardiola and Real Madrid's Jose Mourinho.


Rooney has been nominated for his stunning overhead kick against Manchester City last season.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/16031662.stm


Its between Messi and Ronaldo but one would assume that Messi has this in the bag after Barcalona bagged another league and Champions League title thanks to his 53 goals (55 apps) in all competitions. Messi has now been nominated for the awards for the fifth consecutive year. This season he has become Barcelona's second highest goalscorer in its history.


Ronaldo scored 53 goals in 54 apperances. His winning goal against Barcelona in the 103rd minute of the Copa Del Ray final gave Real Madrid their only title of the season. A personal accolade came for Ronaldo when he entered the record books for becoming the first and only player to score 40 or more goals in a La Liga season, winning the european golden shoe award once again, becoming the first player to win the trophy in two different leagues.

Corvo

Wheres Heskey?

Crazy Horse 6

Griffin1988 wrote: »

Wheres Heskey?

Chasing balls over the top?

ctrl-alt-delete

Messi again for me, and for the foreseeable future unless a major injury does him, such a joy to watch, definition of a footballing genius.

RasTa

Messi for this again, Ronaldo for next year.

Dotrel

Would like to see Xavi win it just as a token of recognition, but I guess it's another for the Messi collection

Iang87

messi again, still cant believe samaras didnt make it

Your Airbag

No mention of Titus "Airshot" Bramble either. Its thrown up a few surprises this year the old Ballon d'Or has.

Jax Teller

Your Airbag wrote: »

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/16031662.stm


Its between Messi and Ronaldo but one would assume that Messi has this in the bag after Barcalona bagged another league and Champions League title thanks to his 53 goals (55 apps) in all competitions. Messi has now been nominated for the awards for the fifth consecutive year. This season he has become Barcelona's second highest goalscorer in its history.


Ronaldo scored 53 goals in 54 apperances. His winning goal against Barcelona in the 103rd minute of the Copa Del Ray final gave Real Madrid their only title of the season. A personal accolade came for Ronaldo when he entered the record books for becoming the first and only player to score 40 or more goals in a La Liga season, winning the european golden shoe award once again, becoming the first player to win the trophy in two different leagues.

he is nearly half way there again . Barring injury he should do it again .

Dotrel

Paul McShane to sneak into Ireland squad for 2012, replace injured Dunne on eve of Croatia game, lead Ireland to tournament victory with 6 clean sheats and earn transfer to Real Madrid. 2012 Ballon d'Or winner to round off a great career comeback.

bijapos

Xavi for me. He does so much for the team, a true motor, without him neither Messi nor Barcelona would be as prolific.

I admit its hard to see past the incredible stats of both Messi and Ronaldo, but as we all know there is more to a game of football than just scoring goals. I expect Messi to pick it up, but personally I'd vote for Xavi.

Pedro K

Is the goal of the season award that Rooney is nominated for across all competitions? If so, surely Sully's goal against Partizan Belgrade should be in with a shout.

tolosenc

Dotrel wrote: »

Paul McShane to sneak into Ireland squad for 2012, replace injured Dunne on eve of Croatia game, lead Ireland to tournament victory with 6 clean sheats and earn transfer to Real Madrid. 2012 Ballon d'Or winner to round off a great career comeback.

tolosenc

Pedro K wrote: »

Is the goal of the season award that Rooney is nominated for across all competitions? If so, surely Sully's goal against Partizan Belgrade should be in with a shout.

They had a longer list, and only Neymar's was near the top 3. There was at least 1 better bicycle kick than Rooney's. It's a joke.

J. Marston

Mourinho is on the list and Villa-Boas isn't? One Spanish cup and second in the league versus an unbeaten season and a treble?
Even though the Portuguese league is weaker than La Liga, AVB should be on that list ahead of Mourinho.

Dotrel

J. Marston wrote: »

Mourinho is on the list and Villa-Boas isn't? One Spanish cup and second in the league versus an unbeaten season and a treble?
Even though the Portuguese league is weaker than La Liga, AVB should be on that list ahead of Mourinho.

As I understand it isn't it an award for the calender year rather than a season? ATM Mourinho's last 12 months is looking slightly more impressive that AVB's imo.

Davaeo09

Dotrel wrote: »

As I understand it isn't it an award for the calender year rather than a season? ATM Mourinho's last 12 months is looking slightly more impressive that AVB's imo.

Yep you'd be right, it's based from when the award was last given out, until now/January.


Regarding the PUSKAS award, or the goal of the season, here's the video of all the nominations

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nap8nlB_2zk

For me it's between Neymar and Rooney and I say that as a Barca fan!

eire4

Personally Messi should win the player award again. Although I would not be surprised if Xavi got it as an almost career award rather then specificaly for last season.

Davaeo09

Davaeo09 wrote: »

Yep you'd be right, it's based from when the award was last given out, until now/January.


Regarding the PUSKAS award, or the goal of the season, here's the video of all the nominations

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nap8nlB_2zk

For me it's between Neymar and Rooney and I say that as a Barca fan!

Rooney mis-hit his.