But it also generates lively debate and discussion all over the globe, among players, coaches and fans. Indeed practically anyone with an interest in the beautiful game has an opinion on the top male and female players of the year, or on the best coaches of the year in men’s and women’s football.
With this year’s FIFA Ballon d’Or Gala award winners set to be revealed on 9 January 2012 in Zurich, below is a selection of some of the best awards-related predictions, comments and observations currently doing the rounds on planet football.
The nominees
Cristiano Ronaldo via Twitter: “It’s great to be among the final three contenders nominated for the FIFA Ballon d’Or award again.”
Lionel Messi: “I’m very much aware of the prestige associated with this award. Winning would give me the greatest pleasure. It gives me immense pride to think that, one day, perhaps, my name could be mentioned in the same breath as illustrious figures like Michel Platini, and that, given the number of years I still have in front of me, I might even surpass his total of three consecutive awards eventually.”
Xavi: “I’m extremely proud to have been nominated for the third successive year. It’s a great honour, and it’s not something I’ll ever forget. This wasn’t actually one of my goals when I was young. I simply wanted to become a professional footballer; winning the Ballon d’Or wasn’t really in my plans. For me, Lionel Messi is the best player in the world. He always makes a real difference in our matches.”
Marta: “Homare Sawa and Abby Wambach had a great World Cup, so my sixth win in a row is certainly not a foregone conclusion. But I’m happy to have been nominated, and am looking forward to attending the ceremony, which is always a wonderful occasion, and to meeting other sporting figures. It’s the eighth time that I’ve been nominated, which I’m delighted about.”
The former winners
Marco van Basten (1988, 1989 and 1992): “There’s no doubt for me, Messi is clearly the best player in the world. He’s a veritable phenomenon who’s won everything but still wants more. His humility only makes him better in my eyes. I think he can become even more influential – he’s a born leader and should make his mark just like Diego Maradona did. I don’t mean just with Barcelona, but with Argentina too. He should win the Ballon d’Or award again. Not just for his skills but for the Liga, Champions League and Spanish Super Cup medals he earned this year. He’s been a key figure for his team all season.”
Michel Platini (1983, 1984 and 1985): “Records are there to be broken, and my record of three successive Ballon d’Or awards will be broken one day. I arrived at Juventus at the age of 27, but if I’d started out there at 13 like Messi at Barcelona, who knows, maybe I would have won more of them.”
Johan Cruyff (1971, 1973 and 1974): “Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi are truly exceptional players. But it all depends on how you view the game. The way I look at it, Xavi deserves it not because he’s the best but because he’s the type of player whose hard work allows others to come to the fore.”
Eusebio (1965): “At this moment in time, the name of the top player in the world is Messi. Cristiano Ronaldo has also won the award before, but right now Messi is the best and deserves to win it. Even Ronaldo has recognised that Messi has been better than him this year.”
Kaka (2007): “In the modern game, Cristiano is the world’s most complete player. He’s capable of scoring goals with his left foot, his right, his head and from free-kicks. Messi is excellent and has numerous qualities but overall Cristiano has more to offer.”
The coaches
Arsene Wenger: “I think Messi is the favourite, because he won both La Liga and the Champions League. In important matches, he’s been his side’s most decisive player.”
Pep Guardiola: “This is a very significant award. It’s an honour to have had three players nominated for it last year, and now two again this year. Barça players gaining this type of recognition comes down to the simple fact that we won a lot of trophies. If we hadn’t won anything, it wouldn’t make any sense. I’d like to congratulate my players, and may the best man win.”
Theo Bucker: “The first thing that I have to say is that they’re all outstanding players. In my opinion, Ronaldo is a tremendous performer but, personally speaking, he’s not a traditional team player. And although Xavi probably doesn’t have the same amount of raw skill, he’s a real workhorse who does a lot for the team. Messi is better than them both, because he’s just an incredible talent who scores and puts in a lot of effort, as well as being a great team player. For me, he deserves to win the FIFA Ballon d’Or.”
Story courtesy of FIFA.com.
For more on the world game go to www.fifa.com

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