Messi vs Ronaldo vs Rooney – who will emerge the World best footballer?

On January 9th 2012, at a gala night, FIFA will announce the top footballer for the year. In a build up to that event, the world football governing body has released a shortlist of players. Once again, Spain trumps England and all comers as it contributed the highest number of players.

It does seem that FIFA agrees with the school of thought that the best players in the world ply their trade in Spain.
Barcelona have eight players in the running while their rivals, Real Madrid have five. England chips in with a miserly four. Wayne Rooney makes the list alongside Nani, his team mate at Manchester United. Luis Suarez is rewarded for his sparkling form for Liverpool with a nomination while Sergio Aguero who just moved from Spain this summer gets a mention too.

The EPL makes a bold statement of intent in the managerial stakes. Arsenal’s Arsene Wenger, Sir Alex Ferguson of Manchester United and Chelsea’s Andre Villas-Boas made it into the managerial list. Germany is also well represented with Joachim Low and Jurgen Klopp.

Here’s the full list of nominees:

PLAYER OF THE YEAR SHORTLIST

Eric Abidal (France), Sergio Aguero (Argentina), Karim Benzema (France), Iker Casillas (Spain), Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal), Dani Alves (Brazil), Samuel Eto’o (Cameroon), Cesc Fabregas (Spain), Diego Forlan (Uruguay), Andres Iniesta (Spain), Lionel Messi (Argentina), Thomas Muller (Germany), Nani (Portugal), Neymar (Brazil), Mesut Ozil (Germany), Gerard Pique (Spain), Wayne Rooney (England), Bastian Schweinsteiger (Germany), Wesley Sneijder (Holland), Luis Suarez (Uruguay), David Villa (Spain), Xabi Alonso (Spain), Xavi (Spain).

MANAGER OF THE YEAR SHORTLIST

Vicente Del Bosque (Spain), Alex Ferguson (Manchester United), Rudi Garcia (Lille), Pep Guardiola (Barcelona), Jurgen Klopp (Borussia Dortmund), Joachim Low (Germany), Jose Mourinho (Real Madrid), Oscar Tabarez (Uruguay), Andre Villas-Boas (Chelsea), Arsene Wenger (Arsenal)

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One Comment

1. 

   Chuks

   November 4, 2011 at 1:13 am

   Please there is no controversy on thiis – – – MESSI remains and is the best player in the world.