And These are the FIFA Ballon D’or Award Winners

The FIFA Ballon D’or is an annual association football award given by FIFA to the best players considered to have performed the best in the previous calendar year. It tends to distinguish the best from all football leagues. This year’s nominations were as follows:

• FIFA Ballon d’Or: Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid/Portugal), Lionel Messi (Barcelona/Argentina), Neymar (Barcelona/Brazil)
• FIFA Women’s World Player of the Year: Carli Lloyd (Houston Dash/USA)), Aya Miyama (Okayama Yunogo Belle/Japan), Celia Sasic (retired)
• FIFA World Coach of the Year (Men’s): Pep Guardiola (Bayern Munich), Luis Enrique (Barcelona), Jorge Sampaoli (Chile)
• FIFA World Coach of the Year (Women’s): Jill Ellis (USA), Mark Sampson (England), Norio Sasaki (Japan)
• FIFA Puskas Award: Alessandro Florenzi (Roma v Barcelona), Wendell Lira (Atletico-GO v Goianesia), Lionel Messi (Barcelona v Athletic Bilbao)

Womens world coach of the year was won by Jill Ellis (USA), women’s world player of the year went to Carli Lloyd (Houston Dash/USA), World coach of the year went to Luis Enrique (Barcelona) deservedly considering being his first season as coach in Barcelona and having won so many titles for such a short period and still in the running to bag more.

The Fifa Puskas award went to Wendell Lira due to his wonderful bicycle kick to slot in a volley in the game between Atletico-GO vs Goianesia. In case you haven’t watched it make sure you do. For those who don’t know what the puskas award is all about let me enlighten you a bit. It awards the best goal scored in that calendar year and trust you me the skill Werrell used to score that goal is epic. Just how he was able to beat that offside trap and score that volley with a bicycle kick.. one word.. AWESOME.

The world eleven saw most of the line-up from two major teams in the Spanish league i.e. Real Madrid and Barcelona. Other leagues that were represented were the bundesliga(Germany), ligue 1(France) & Serie A(Italy). Not a single player from the English premier league was present in the starting line up. Which is quite a disappointment to me cause that’s one of the most competitive leagues if not the most competitive league. But this is story for another day.

Goalkeeper: Manuel Neuer (Bayern Munich)

Defenders: Thiago Silva (PSG), Marcelo (Real Madrid), Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid), Dani Alves (Barcelona)

Midfielders: Andres Iniesta (Barcelona), Luka Modric (Real Madrid), Paul Pogba (Juventus)

Forwards: Neymar (Barcelona), Lionel Messi (Barcelona), Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid)

Obviously this year as usual two of the best went head to head for the men’s award i.e. Messi and Cristiano. Not saying that Neymar isn’t good but its only fair to say it will be a while since he scoops the coveted prize so long as these two exist. Not to the surprise of many, Messi won the golden ball but being a ronaldo superfan it obviously hurt me. That made it his fifth ballon d’or and puts him high up there as the player to win the most ballon d’or awards which I must say he deserved to win having helped his team, Barcelona, to win La liga, copa del rey , the Spanish super cup as well as the club world cup. Not an easy fete, I must admit.

These win must have been assisted by these many accolades as well as pushing his country, Argentina to the finals of the world cup. Personally this was the icing on the cake for him to win compared to cristiano’s individual achievements in both club and country.

So the battle goes on between who is the best in the world but to measure the abilities of Messi and Ronaldo on the pitch is a difficult task cause both of them are good in what they do and so I decided to call it a truce for me as these debate will never end. Let’s set our eyes on the upcoming talent and the ongoing leagues. Good news is the January transfer window is open and clubs are ready to dig deep in their pockets to buy players that will help their team to win titles and we will be updating you on every signing.

Article by Mercy Kariuki.