FIFA Ballon D'Or 2011: Lionel Messi wins it for FC Barcelona
by Arron Duckling on Jan 9, 2012 8:32 PM CET
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FC Barcelona have dominated the proceedings at the annual FIFA Ballon D’Or awards, with Lionel Messi winning the title for the third year in succession. Pep Guardiola claimed the Coach of the Year award while the FIFPro team of the year contained no less than five Barcelona players. As if that wasn’t enough, Xavi rounded off the podium for the Ballon D’Or in third place with his partner in crime Andres Iniesta in fourth.
Lionel Messi will rightly grab the headlines for this magnificent achievement; it is hard to believe that he is only 24. This is his fifth successive year on the podium, and a record-equalling third Ballon D’Or. At this point, it seems inconceivable that the Argentine will not go on to set the bar so high it may never be passed, time is on his side, and with his teammates by his side, he has the perfect platform to further improve. After all, he "only" received 47% of the vote!
Amongst all the jubilation for Messi and Guardiola, one cannot help but feel aggrieved that Xavi was not at least second. His efforts over the past year have been pivotal to Barcelona’s success, although he is unfortunate to live in the same era as Messi and Ronaldo. The Real Madrid forward may not be to everyone’s liking, but he is a superb player operating at a similar level to Lionel Messi, at least in terms of goal-scoring. He is working on his teamwork, his side is getting better and if Real go on to success in the remainder of the season, he might reclaim the title from Messi in 2013. That is not a thought I wish to entertain at the moment, especially after finding out Pep enjoys a bit of James Blunt...
It is time for Barcelona to celebrate, but it is also time to look forward. They are enjoying this feeling of success, and the level of respect they command is simply unreal, but these awards have to earned on the pitch. Judging by the derby match at the weekend, there is plenty of work to be done away from the Camp Nou, and the next month or so will be the most important of Guardiola’s reign. This is where we learn what this team is made of.
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If anyone is interested
Here’s how people voted: http://www.fifa.com/mm/document/classic/awards/01/56/60/53/awards_men_player_countries.pdf
"Football should be played with smile"---Ronaldinho
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by Bostjan Cernensek on Jan 9, 2012 10:08 PM CET reply actions
Can't find that
If I find those votes I’ll post them
"Football should be played with smile"---Ronaldinho
Manager on Barca Blaugranes.
Follow @bcernensek
by Bostjan Cernensek on Jan 9, 2012 11:08 PM CET up reply actions
Good thing that doesnt happen often then huh?
Doesnt really matter if he wins another or not..fact is he’s won 3 in a row…platini although great had a slight advantage…that is only Europeans could win the award at that time…or maybe im wrong about that
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by Inder Methil on Jan 10, 2012 1:38 AM CET up reply actions
This is awesome! Yay Messi!
Considering these factors; the pace of the modern game, sports nutrition, how the players train, the facilities that are at their disposal, the technology being used to prepare teams…it’s light-years ahead of what Platini might have imagined in an opponent. It’s no doubt a big-time accomplishment for Messi and Barcelona as a team. I love it.
Congrats to Leo
Keep it up and drag us to all the remaining trophies in 2011-2012, then get one more.
"You are a stupid debater if you don't consider your opponent's point at all, slow down with the arrogance"
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by Guidance Mhlari on Jan 10, 2012 6:28 AM CET via mobile reply actions
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