Lionel Messi wins Ballon d'Or for a record fourth time

[Danizen]

Everyone is criticising, but I've not seen anyone suggest any better for any of those positions.

Casillas

Cole

Silva

Ramos

Lahm

Iniesta

Alonso

Pirlo

Ronaldo

Falcao

Messi

[StanSP]

You've taken my point the wrong way, massively the wrong way actually. When I said "occasional" I meant occasional. I wasn't for a moment suggesting teams that play regular long balls should be considered , I just meant that teams like United and City who play one every now and again and don't stick religiously to a philosophy of keeping it on the deck should have players in their somewhere.

So, lets take Kompany who plays for one of these teams that I believe FIFA considers to be a "long ball team" - long ball in relation to Barcelona that is, not long ball in the way Stoke are. Now would you care to tell me that Kompany is an inferior player to Pique or Ramos? To me it seems blindingly obvious that Kompany should be ahead of these two, and I'd imagine the reason he isn't is because he plays for a team that FIFA considers to be "imperfect."

Fifa hold the award. Fifa representatives or associates don't vote for these award. For the 3rd time in this thread, it is fellow professional players, coaches/managers and media representatives who made the votes.

Where do you get the term 'imperfect' from and why do you associate that with FIFA, too? You're making a link from what the public see as perfect football and attributing that to FIFA, for reasons unknown.

I didn't say Pique or Ramos are superior to Kompany. I actually believe Kompany should have been in the hunt, too. But to propose the reasoning behind his exclusion is because he plays for an 'imperfect' team is just downright silly.

[Carl the Llama]

It has nothing to do with FIFA, someone has posted a link so you can see who voted for who, I think it is probably more a case of people picking the Spanish players because they are current World and European Champions and couldn't think of anyone else to put.

Here is another link if you want to see who voted for who:

http://bleacherrepor...o-voted-for-who

Que te calles, gillipolla!!!

That still explains nothing w/r to the world XI. Yaya got 8 pts and Xabi Alonso just the one (from Stevie G no less) - unless I've severely miscounted how do you explain that?

[Guest ttfn]

Kompany and Vidic are the two best centre backs in world football in my opinion, and by quite a way too. Vidic couldn't be in that team because he's been injured all year though.

Alba, Baines and Cole are all better than Marcelo, that's a mental selection. Heard good things about Alaba too.

Schweinsteiger led a young Germany side to the euro semis and a relatively experienced side to the Champions League final but no spot for him.

The top end of La Liga is clearly the pinnacle in terms of domestic competition, but having 11/11 from there is nuts. Real and Barca aren't that far ahead of everyone else.

[kingfox]

So La Liga is the best is it? A 2 team league who`s top 2 sides got dicked in the champions league semis by Germans and English clubs....

Fantasy land, mate

Falcao best Striker, yet he doesn't play for Barcelona or Real Madrid.

Have many other quality players as well.

[kingfox]

Kompany and Vidic are the two best centre backs in world football in my opinion, and by quite a way too. Vidic couldn't be in that team because he's been injured all year though.

Alba, Baines and Cole are all better than Marcelo, that's a mental selection. Heard good things about Alaba too.

Schweinsteiger led a young Germany side to the euro semis and a relatively experienced side to the Champions League final but no spot for him.

The top end of La Liga is clearly the pinnacle in terms of domestic competition, but having 11/11 from there is nuts. Real and Barca aren't that far ahead of everyone else.

Baines even though I love the guy isn't worthy of team of the year, I would of chose Alba yet he still plays for Barcelona.

That midfield is class though, only exception you could make is Alonso for Pirlo.

Rest I agree with.

[Harry - LCFC]

Fifa hold the award. Fifa representatives or associates don't vote for these award. For the 3rd time in this thread, it is fellow professional players, coaches/managers and media representatives who made the votes.

Where do you get the term 'imperfect' from and why do you associate that with FIFA, too? You're making a link from what the public see as perfect football and attributing that to FIFA, for reasons unknown.

I didn't say Pique or Ramos are superior to Kompany. I actually believe Kompany should have been in the hunt, too. But to propose the reasoning behind his exclusion is because he plays for an 'imperfect' team is just downright silly.

My mistake, I thought FIFA voted on this.

The two teams who seemed to be idolised more than any other are Madrid and Barcelona - especially Barcelona, for their philosophy of keeping it on the ground. Other teams don't stick to it as rigidly so I get the feeling they are considered "imperfect" by many. I'm probably exaggerating a little here so I see why you're criticising me but I still think everyone worships those two teams a bit too much.

Okay, my reasoning is silly. I must say I'm adamant that Kompany should be ahead of Ramos, but why isn't he? If Kompany is better than Ramos then surely he should get selected ahead of him. I can only think my "imperfect" theory, however silly it may seem is the reason behind Kompany's exclusion as I'm yet to see another explanation.

[Danizen]

Baines even though I love the guy isn't worthy of team of the year, I would of chose Alba yet he still plays for Barcelona.

That midfield is class though, only exception you could make is Alonso for Pirlo.

Rest I agree with.

Pirlo should be in it but I'd kick Xavi out. Alonso does everything Xavi does but better.

[StanSP]

Kompany and Vidic are the two best centre backs in world football in my opinion, and by quite a way too. Vidic couldn't be in that team because he's been injured all year though.

Alba, Baines and Cole are all better than Marcelo, that's a mental selection. Heard good things about Alaba too.

Schweinsteiger led a young Germany side to the euro semis and a relatively experienced side to the Champions League final but no spot for him.

The top end of La Liga is clearly the pinnacle in terms of domestic competition, but having 11/11 from there is nuts. Real and Barca aren't that far ahead of everyone else.

Vidic? No way. Kompany definitely one of the best. I find Vidic way too petulant and clumsy to warrant the label as one of the best centre backs.

At least your suggestion wasn't Gary Cahill, as I saw on people on Twitter genuinely championing him for a spot in that World XI.

[kingfox]

Pirlo should be in it but I'd kick Xavi out. Alonso does everything Xavi does but better.

You would kick Xavi out

Xavi and Iniesta are the best two midfielders on the planet.

[ScouseFox]

Pirlo instead of Xavi and any man to ever claim to be a left back over Marcelo. Get rid of Casillas too. Not sure who to put in, just not Casillas.

[StanSP]

My mistake, I thought FIFA voted on this.

The two teams who seemed to be idolised more than any other are Madrid and Barcelona - especially Barcelona, for their philosophy of keeping it on the ground. Other teams don't stick to it as rigidly so I get the feeling they are considered "imperfect" by many.

Okay, my reasoning is silly. Yet you admit yourself that Kompany should be ahead of Ramos, so why isn't he? If a Kompany is better than Ramos then surely he should get selected ahead of him. I can only think my "imperfect" theory, however silly it may seem is the reason behind Kompany's exclusion as I'm yet to see another explanation.

I can think that the Champions League played a big part - Man City failed at the group stages. Kompany was part of that failing side. Real Madrid topped their group and got to the semis as well as winning their league (I know Man City won PL). Ramos was a part of that successful Madrid side. That's a more logical explanation, in my opinion, than a 'perfection' theory.

[Guest ttfn]

Baines even though I love the guy isn't worthy of team of the year, I would of chose Alba yet he still plays for Barcelona.

That midfield is class though, only exception you could make is Alonso for Pirlo.

Rest I agree with.

FWIW:

Cech

Alves

Kompany

Hummels

Alba

Schweinsteiger

Pirlo

Toure

Ronaldo

Messi

Falcao.

If you're talking about achievements this year, I can't understand what some of those Barcekona players are doing in there. I know Spain won the Euros, but for there to be 0 (ZERO) representatives from Italy (who lets not forget saw their national team reach the final of the Euros), England and Germany (from which the two Champions League finalists came) is nuts.

[StanSP]

Pirlo instead of Xavi and any man to ever claim to be a left back over Marcelo. Get rid of Casillas too. Not sure who to put in, just not Casillas.

Buffon would do for me instead of Casillas. Although the latter is still extremely good, he's not the best anymore and isn't as good as he used to be. Buffon has always been in the top 3 keepers of the world for me.

[Guest ttfn]

Shit, just realised I left Iniesta out. Can I have 12? If not, Schweinsteiger or Pirlo will have to budge.

[I am Rod Hull]

Falcao best Striker, yet he doesn't play for Barcelona or Real Madrid.

Have many other quality players as well.

1 out of 11 then....

[Danno]

Why isn't Pirlo in there? Contributed so much to Juve's 49 unbeaten run and played fantastically in the euros.

[StanSP]

FWIW:

Cech

Alves

Kompany

Hummels

Alba

Schweinsteiger

Pirlo

Toure

Ronaldo

Messi

Falcao.

If you're talking about achievements this year, I can't understand what some of those Barcekona players are doing in there. I know Spain won the Euros, but for there to be 0 (ZERO) representatives from Italy (who lets not forget saw their national team reach the final of the Euros), England and Germany (from which the two Champions League finalists came) is nuts.

No Xavi or Iniesta?? I know I love Barca and I'm trying not to let that shroud my opinion, but how can you take 2 of the world's best midfielders, key in Spain's European Championship success? Not denying Schweinsteiger's or Toure's abilities (I don't mind Pirlo being in there), but Xavi and Iniesta are irreplaceable right now, along with Messi and Ronaldo.

EDIT: Just seen the additional post by you .

[Carl the Llama]

Casillas

Cole Srna

Silva Kompany

Ramos

Lahm

Iniesta

Alonso Yaya

Pirlo Xavi

Ronaldo

Falcao

Messi

Now we're getting somewhere...

[foxes2011]

i think messi has deserved it these past few seasons

[Guest ttfn]

You would kick Xavi out

Xavi and Iniesta are the best two midfielders on the planet.

Not any more.

Xavi is still a GREAT player, but there are others I'd rather have. Yaya for one.

Always thought that Iniesta was like Xavi with a shimmy and a change of pace.

[foxfanazer]

Casillas

Cole

Hummels

Kompany

Lahm

Xavi

Iniesta

Mata

Messi

Ronaldo

Falcao/cavani/RVP/Suarez/aguero

Surprised mata doesn't get more of a mention. Delightful footballer!

[Danizen]

Not any more.

Xavi is still a GREAT player, but there are others I'd rather have. Yaya for one.

Always thought that Iniesta was like Xavi with a shimmy and a change of pace.

^this. Apart from the big two, he's one of the most skillful players on the planet.

[kingfox]

1 out of 11 then....

But 10 are Barcelona and Real Madrid players just shows how good their players are.

Interesting selections, but I would of probably gone with.

Casillas

Alves

Hummels

Pique

Alba

Pirlo

Xavi

Iniesta

Messi

Falcao

Ronaldo

Kompany and Van Persie just missing out.

[Harry - LCFC]

I can think that the Champions League played a big part - Man City failed at the group stages. Kompany was part of that failing side. Real Madrid topped their group and got to the semis as well as winning their league (I know Man City won PL). Ramos was a part of that successful Madrid side. That's a more logical explanation, in my opinion, than a 'perfection' theory.

Actually you're perhaps right there, even so I'd regard that as quite short-sighted from the voters if they thought that was a factor. Madrid's run to the SF was not all that difficult - in fact I'd go as far as to say it was downright easy in CL terms. I've just looked at their results and they swept everyone aside except for Bayern Munich. http://www.uefa.com/...ches/index.html

None the less I'm going to give up on my "perfection" theory and say that the CL probably won it for Ramos despite it being a pretty poor reason for him getting picked.

However, I still feel I've proven my original point which was that players were not selected according to their ability. Kompany was excluded, not due to lack of ability, but because of the flawed vision of those who voted - the Premier League title is clearly a greater achievement than the CL semi-final when you consider Madrid's oppostion.