I've heard a lot of people complaining about the 'World Player of the Year' award short list, so I thought it would be cool to post our/goal community thoughts about the World Player of the Year 'shortlist' here.. I think the list is rather careleesly made, leaving Francesco Totti, David Villa out.. and including Thierry Henry and Carlos Tevez.. It's just ridiculous..

 So I took the time and searched the whole web for the player's appearances, goals, and assists (ESPNsoccernet).. And I've got to say that I was surprised by some of them.. For example people see Riquelme on that list, and they usually state that "Riquelme barely played last season", well I cheked his appearances and it turned out he had the same amount of appearances as Ronaldinho.. And it turns out that Leo Messi's last season wasn't as good as one might expect.. You'll see what I mean later in the post..

 I'm going to make a short list of the players that 'in my opinion' are the only serious contenders to win 'The World Player of the Year' award.. But before doing so, I want to clarify some 'facts' because I'm tyred of hearing ignorant and biased statements:

 

 *facts (wikipedia); The Intercontinental Cup was a competition endorsed by UEFA and CONMEBOL, contested between the winners of the European 'Champions League' and the South American 'Copa Libertadores' in a match played every year.. The Intercontinental Cup was played between 1960-2004. It is now called the 'FIFA Club World Cup' (2004-present)

The Intercontinental Cup was won by South American clubs 25 times, and by European clubs 21.. It's been won mostly by teams from Argentina.. Intercontinental Cup by country: Argentina 9, Brazil 9, Italy 7, Uruguay 6, Spain 4, Germany 3, Netherlands 3, Portugal 2, Paraguay 1, England 1, and Yugoslavia 1.

 The Copa Libertadores is in the same level as the Champions League..

 Copa Libertadores by country: Argentina 21, Brazil 13, Uruguay 8, Paraguay 3, Colombia 2, and Chile 1.

The Argentine league has been ranked among the top five (1999-2003) and is consistently in the top 10 in the world per the International Federation of Football History and Statistics. It is one of the most prolific sources of players for the world's other top leagues such as La Liga (Spain), Serie A (Italy), Série A (Brazil), FA Premier League (England), Bundesliga (Germany), and the Superliga (Portugal).

The FIFA World Player of the Year award is an individual honour, and is awarded to the best player individually speaking.. For ex. how many goals he scored, how many assists, how many trophies.. etc.. The World Player of the Year award is awarded to the best player of season 2006-07, so it doesn't matter how well some players are performing this season (2007-08)..

44 percent of FIFA's World Player of the Year awards have gone to Brazilians.. The last six awards have been won by players playing in La Liga.

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So first I'm going to name FIFA's 30 players shortlist:

Italy: Gianluigi Buffon, Fabio Cannavaro, Gennaro Gattuso, Alessandro Nesta, Andrea Pirlo.

Argentina: Lional Messi, Juan Román Riquelme, Carlos Tevez.

Brazil: Juninho, Kaká, Ronaldinho.

Cameroon: Samuel Eto'o.

Czech Republic: Petr Cech .

England: Steven Gerrard, Wayne Rooney, John Terry.

France: Thierry Henry, Franck Ribery, Lilian Thuram, Patrick Vieira

Germany: Miroslav Klose, Philip Lahm

Ghana: Michael Essien

Holland: Ruud Van Nistelrooy

Ivory Coast: Didier Drogba

Mexico: Rafael Marquez

Portugal: Cristiano Ronaldo, Deco

Spain: Fernando Torres

 

 The players that shouldn't be on that list:

* Fabio Cannavaro; He did not have a good season and everyone knows it.. He also wasn't decisive in Real Madrid's La Liga title.

* Andrea Pirlo; This player was a key player for AC Milan, good free-kicks, good technique.. But the World Player of the Year award is an individual honour, and a midfielder that in season 2006-07 had 34 Appearances, 3 goals, and 7 assists, shouldn't be on that 'short list'.

* Alessandro Nesta; Only made 24 Appearances last season, and no goals or assists.. He shouldn't be on that list. Paolo Maldini had more appearances (27) and 1 assist and 1 goal, if he isn't on that list neither should Alessandro Nesta.

* Patrick Vieira; He definitely shouldn't be on that short list.. Everyone knows that he's world class, but last season he only made 33 Appearances, 2 Goals, and 4 Assists.. that's not enough to make it into the world's best short list.

* Franck Ribery: didn't won a trophy, and only managed 29 Appearances, 5 goals, and very few assists.. I don't understand why he's on that list..

* Carlos Tevez; Coudn't manage to win a single trophy, his team (West Ham) almost ends relegated, and he only made 9 goals, and 6 assists in 35 Appearances.. He haves the talent to be on that short list, but he doesn't deserves to be there becasue his 2006-07 season wasn't a good one..

* Deco: This player is always good, always usefull, and he does the things that most people don't notice.. But he didn't have the best of seasons.. And I think this year he doesn't deserve a place in the short lsit, he didn't win a single trophy, and only managed 31 appearances and 1 goal in La Liga..

* Juninho: Didn't had a good season, and everybody knows it.. Season 2006-07; 38 Appearances, 11 Goals, and 12 Assists.

 

Players that deserve a place on that 'short list':

* Riquelme: At first you go like "He barely played last season", I thought the same way but.. I checked out his stats for season 2006-07, and he haves 46 Appearances, 16 Goals, and 17 Assists.. I really didn't expected that, in fact he made the same amount of appearances as Ronaldinho.. He definitely desrves a place on that list, so at least FIFA made 'some' good choices.. Riquelme should be a serious contender for FIFA's Player of the Year award, he single handedly won one of the best Cups in football - the Copa Libertadores, he won the 'Copa Libertadores MVP' award, the 'best player of the Copa Libertadores Final' prize, and he scored a hat-trick against Gremio in the final.. I don't know if someone remembers but last season Barcelona couldn't manage to score a single goal against Internacional (a Brazilian club) in the 'Club World Cup', just so everybody knows; 'Gremio has always been better team than Internacional'..

Then there's also the fact that Riquelme was the best player of the 'Copa America', in wich he managed 5 goals, and 3 assists in 6 appearances..

A lot of people blame Riquelme for the Final outcome of the Copa America, and Riquelme didn't performed that bad.. he hit the post twice and made some good passes.. Argentina were very well marked by Brazil, and neither Tevez or Messi managed to shake them off.. And if there's someone to single out for that defeat (3-0) it's Roberto Ayala.. He's a gerat defender, one of the best in my opinion, he should've been on the list instead of John Terry or Cannavaro, but unfortunately in that Final against Brazil he gift wrapped a goal for Baptista and then scored an auto goal shortly after.. he single-handedly made it 2-0 for Argentina. But it happens, it could happen to anyone..

Riquelme is one of my 3 players for Player of the Year award; He won the Copa Libertadores, he was the best player of the Copa America, and he had a good 2006-07 season - Villarreal/Boca Juniors(loan), 46 App, 16 Goals, and 17 Assists..

 * Samuel Eto'o: He's another player that at first looks out of place, but.. he did great for his few appearances, he had 28 Appearances, 17 goals, and 11 assists.. I think he deserves a place on that list, although I think he shouldn't be considered a serious contender..

* Ronaldinho: He's a great player, he haves a lot of resources; dribbling skills, great free-kicks, goal-scoring, etc.. No one as questioned his inclution, at first I did because he didn't managed to win a single trophy, and he didn't had a great season.. but he did managed 46 Appearances, 23 Goals, and 9 Assists.. So he deserves a place.. However, he never managed to perform against the big teams, and he shouldn't be considered a serious contender for this year's award..

* Kaká: He's the favourite to win this year's award.. But unlike most people I think he doesn't deserves the individual honour.. yes he won UEFA's Champions League, but then again so did Pippo Insaghi, Gennaro Gattuso, Andrea Pirlo, and Clarence Seedorf, this players made very important contributions.. AC Milan's Champions League wasn't a one man show by Kaká, it was a collective display by a balanced team..

So Kaká won the Champions League, but he was nothing outstanding in Seria A (were he had 31 Appearances, 8 Goals, and 6 Assists), and he missed the 'Copa America'.. So Kaká was an outstanding player in only one competition, the most important competition along with the Copa Libertadores in the world of football.. Kaká managed 10 goals, and 3 assists in 15 appearances in the Champions League. And in season 2006-07; 52 Appearances, 20 Goals, and 9 Assists, so he's definitely a serious contender to win the award.. He is one of my 3 picks to win the award.

* Cristiano Ronaldo: This player was arguably the best player of last season, he didn't managed to win the 'Champions League' that's true.. but he was the best player 'statistically' speaking, and he won the 'EPL' Title.. He was just as outstanding as Kaká in the Champions League.. So he was outstanding in two competitions, and in season 2006-07 he managed 57 Appearances, 25 Goals, and 20 Assists. Cristiano Ronaldo is the last one of my top 3 to win the award..

* Leo Messi: He's the best player in the world right now.. but last season he didn't had such a good year.. Leo Messi only managed 4 appearances, and 1 goal in the Champions League. He didn't win a single trophy, he wasn't so outstanding in the 'Copa America', and he only managed 44 Appearances, 20 Goals, and 2 Assists in season 2006-07.. that's not a bad season by any means.. He deserves a place, no doubt about it.. but he shouldn't be considered as a serious contender. Maybe next year..

* Steven Gerrard: Deserves a place, because although he couldn't win a single trophy , he once again lead his side to another Champions League Final.. Of course he shouldn't be a serious contender, last season he made 60 Appearances, 13 Goals, and 10 Assists.

* Van Nistelrooy: He obviously deserves a place, he was decisive in Real Madrid's La Liga Title.. scored 25 goals in La Liga.. Season 2006-07; 48 Appearances, 33 Goals, and 2 Assists.. So he had a good season and won a trophy.. However he was well provided by David Beckham, and he shouldn't be a serious contender.

* Didier Drogba: He have an impressive season, he won (along with Chelsea) the FA Cup, and he had very impressive statistics.. But then again, the 'EPL' haves more Cups than most leagues - 'FA Cup', 'Carling Cup', and 'FA Community Shield', this is why EPL players usually have more appearances/goals/assists than most.. Season 2006-07; 69 Appearances, 33 Goals, and 8 Assists. However, Chelsea and Drogba failed to win the 'EPL' Title and the Champions League.. This is why I think that Drogba obviously deserves a mention, but should not be seriously considered..

Other players with a well deserved place on that list:

Wayne Rooney: 2006-07, 57 Appearances, 24 Goals, and 14 Assists.

Fernando Torres: 2006-07, 44 Appearances, 16 Goals, and 5 Assists.

Thierry Henry: 2006-07, 33 Appearances, 15 Goals, and 7 Assists.

Luca Toni: 2006-07, 31 Appearances, 17 Goals, and 4 Assists

Miroslav Klose: 2006-07, 44 Appearances, 21 Goals, and 8 Assists.

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Players that should've been on the list:

*Francesco Totti: The Italian is unquestinably one of the best players of last season.. He won trophies and he had a great season.. He won - 'Serie A Top Scorer' (with 26 goals), European Golden Boot, Coppa Italia, and Supercoppa.. He along with his Roma team mates played some of the most beautiful football in season 2006-07.. Roma was the only team who gave Inter a challenge, and Totti is the captain of that team, Totti also had a great season 2006-07; 51 Appearances, 32 Goals, and 11 Assists.. 'Had Totti been a Brazilian he would've surely won at least the World Player of the Year award once..'

There's no way of justifiyng his exclution from the short list, it's ridiculous that Thierry Henry is on that list while Francesco Totti didn't make FIFA's cut.. However he should've never been a serious contender to win the award, because he failed to win the most important trophies, and that in the eyes of FIFA means a big deal.

* Zlatan Ibrahimovic: Ibra outshone Kaká on Serie A, in fact he outshone just about everyone in the Italian Serie A, he played a big part in the 'Scudetto'.. A very good signing for Inter, unfortunately once again Inter lacked something in the Champions League.. Had Inter won the Champions League, Ibrahimovic would've been the World Player of the Year hands down , however that's not the case.. so maybe next year. I have to admit that his statistics aren't so impressive, 2006-07; 37 Appearances, 15 Goals, and 4 Assists.

* David Villa: It puzzles me that Villa's not on that list, it's simply ridiculous.. He didn't win a single trophy, but he had a good season 2006-07; 56 Appearances, 23 Goals, and 15 Assists. He should've definitely been on that list, although he would've never been a serious contender.

* Roberto Ayala: As solid as ever.. One of the best defenders in the world, and as been for some time.. Ask Didier Drogba how good Ayala really is.. Season 2006-07; 40 Appearances, and 3 Goals.. Deserves a mention.

* David Beckham: He was an important part of Real Madrid, he proved Capello wrong, and most importantly played a big part in Real Madrid's La Liga title.. Beckham was also the reason Van Nistelrooy was 'Pichichi' of La Liga last season.. However Real Madrid once again failed in the Champions League. season 2006-07; 32 Appearances, 3 Goals, and 8 Assists. He was never going to be a serious contender, but he deserved a place.

* Luis Figo: The Portuguese legend keeps showing his class today, and last season he perfromed at a good level.. He might not have an impressive season 'statisticaly speaking', but he was an influential player in Inter with his plenty of perfect crosses for Materazzi and others.. season 2006-07; 50 Appearances, 3 Goals, and 5 Assists. He would've never been a serious contender, but deserved a place on the list.

* Marco Materazzi: What is Fabio Cannavaro doing on that short list while Materazzi is not there.. Materazzi had a great season, and I hate the guy.. He won a 'Scudetto' and also had a good season 2006-07; 41 Apperances, and 10 Goals.. Had a much better season than John Terry or Fabio Cannavaro..

* Cesc Fabregas: Had an reasonable good season, he didn't managed to lift a trophy.. but he was good for Arsenal. Season 2006-07; 62 Appearances, 4 Goals, and 15 Assists.. Never a serious contender, but maybe deserved a mention..

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 Anyways, I said I was going to post my list, and here it is:  26 player short list.

Italy: Francesco Totti, Gianluigi Buffon, Gennaro Gattuso, Marco Materazzi

Argentina: Lionel Messi, Juan Román Riquelme, Roberto Ayala

Brazil: Kaká, Ronaldinho

Cameroon: Samuel Eto'o

England: Steven Gerrard, Wayne Rooney, David Beckham

France: Thierry Henry

Germany: Miroslav Klose, Philipp Lahm

Ghana: Michael Essien

Netherlands: Ruud Van Nistelrooy

Ivory Coast: Didier Drogba

Portugal: Cristiano Ronaldo, Luis Figo

Spain: Fernando Torres, Cesc Fabregas, Joaquín Sanchez, David Villa

Sweden: Zlatan Ibrahimovic

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It's a 26 player short list, now I'm going to reduce it to my top ten: 10 player short list.

Italy: Francesco Totti, Marco Materazzi

Argentina: Juan Román Riquelme

Brazil: Kaká

England: Wayne Rooney

Netherlands: Ruud Van Nistelrooy

Ivory Coast: Didier Drogba

Portugal: Cristiano Ronaldo

Spain: David Villa

Sweden: Zlatan Ibrahimovic

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As I said before, in my opinion FIFA's 'World Player of the Year' award should be awarded to; Cristiano Ronaldo, Román Riquelme, or Kaká..

 My vote goes for Juan Román Riquelme, because; he proved everyone wrong, he re-adapted to South American football after 5 years of not playing it, he single-handedly won the 'Copa Libertadores', he outshone everyone in the 'Copa America', and he did all of this in 4 months.. The way I see it Riquelme was the best player in two of the best tournaments of the world, no one else (no other player) in the world accomplished that last season, and yes I rate the Copa Libertadores and the Champions League equally..

 So I wanted to post this, because I wanted to share my view with the 'goal community'.. What do you think, should Thierry Henry be on that short list? is it fair that Francesco Totti was left out? Who should win it in your opinion? Should Kaká win it?? Make your feelings heard..

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* Please post your views with some facts supporting them... use knowledge instead of enthusiasm towards a player, or skepticism towards a player.. 

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Johan Cruijff; "Simple football is the most beautiful. But playing simple football is the hardest thing".

You Got a point my friend....

Lot of what you said is true...

i agree that Copa Of the america is like the ECL

but they differ in style....

the Copa depends on skills while ECL it depends on Skills and Disciplent....

About Nesta....He is a great player...

you are saying he scored no assist and no Goals....

Like Daaaa he is a defender......

Riquelme is a great player but he is far from getting the Fifa Player of the year award...

I see it to kaka and kaka only....

kaka won the Cl for Milan and you know it my friend.....

When milan needed him he was there.....

Inzaghi and pirlo didnt play that good...

while i got to admit that without gattuso things would have been hard.

In Manchesters game and inLivo and in Celtic milan needed kaka and there he was!!!!!!

messi isnt the best player in the world right know Kaka is....

the only problem is that kaka does it all and nobody talks about it while messia scores and he is the greatest.....

SHould i remind you of the Match Vs lazio.,....Kaka did it all....

Dont forget how much great passes great from him that coudlnt be translated to a goal by Gila and Inazghi....

my top 3 players are

Kala and Messi and the most 2 contenders...

the way i see it kaka desrves it...

again about riquelme he is great my friend....The top 20 right know in the world riquelme is on that list....

but he didnt shine like Kaka did and you know it

 

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Good With Caricatures...Press on the link[b/] http://community.goal.com/en/forums/45001/ShowThread.aspx#45001

excellent post. you saved me alot of hard work i was intending to do.

Kaka didnt single handedly win it, yes he made a goal in the final (soon as mascherano was taken off, another blunder by Benitez but stil), without the help of Gattuso, Pirlo and of course Inzagi who finished superbly in the final.. things WOULD have been different. Taking nothing away from Kaka, you only have to remember THAT goal he scored against Man U, still, the stats are there and his arent better than C. Ronaldo. but C. Ronaldo only won the Premier League, Riquelme won Libratadores (equivilant of the CL)- you can definitely say without Riquelme, Boca wouldn't have won the tournament, not to mention his performances in Copa America.

Messi is a great player, and i share the opinion that he is currently The best attacking player in the world, ahead of Kaka and C.Ronaldo. But this is last season's performers, good season but he's potentially EXPLOSIVE, and will prove it in the years to come. I definitely see him winning it at some point in his life.

My award will go to Riquelme, but since he's completely ignored by fifa (his best season 2005 was ignored when he should have got it then, instead Lampard was 2nd best in the world according to fifa.. so i dont expect to see him in the top 4 this year)

it will go to either Kaka or C. Ronaldo. it will be Kaka.

Do you know that people argue and compare the Champions League with the World Cup and which one is actually better?  No doubt, i believe the World Cup is the best, but for the large part, the majority of players who perform up to the let's say the quarter-final or semi-final stages of the WC have played in the CL or play in Europe.  The Intercontinental Cup is not seen as important, Liverpool wanted to even drop-out!  Barcelona travelled for at least 12-14 hrs, came back and never recovered.

Brazil played Germany in 2002 :  Check and see how many of those players won the South American championship.  Italy played France.  Obviously, there's no need to say where those players played.  The list goes on!  As Enthusiast says, Maradona, Pele, Ronaldinho etc. have not  won the trophies that Riquelme has won, but who cares...they have won the major trophies recognised in World Football.  Watch and see if at all Riquelme comes to his senses and he wins a couple trophies around Europe that he is touted as the best player in the World.  The best players in the World play in Europe today, if you're not playing there, then you better show off in International competitions, not fair, it's reality.

The trophy also takes into consideration some of this season, i think.  Riquelme didn't play the full season at Boca Juniors either and we can't have a player who doesn't seem to care much being World Player of the Year.  

My award will go to Riquelme, but since he's completely ignored by fifa (his best season 2005 was ignored when he should have got it then, instead Lampard was 2nd best in the world according to fifa.. so i dont expect to see him in the top 4 this year)MR. TEEE  DON'T GET CARRIED AWAY!  DO YOU REMEMBER WHO WON THE TROPHY IN 2005?  RONALDINHO!  DO YOU KNOW WHAT HE WON?  A CHAMPIONS LEAGUE AND LA LIGA TITLE!  Frank Lampard won the EPL & Carling Cup.  What did Riquelme win?  Pundits! Recognition! 

You have a case this  year where Kaka won the CL, 3rd in Serie A, Super Cup, 10 goals in CL & schooling United twice. 

 C. Ronaldo won the EPL, semi-final CL, final Fa Cup & Carling Cup. 

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JOGO BONITA!

sometimes the worlds best players dont necessarily play for the world's best teams. A player can not win anything on his own, Ronnie didnt win it on his own, neither did Kaka, nor C. Ronaldo. its an individual honour, should be decided on individual performances. the stats are there.

AH but Riquelme did it with boca Juniors and Villareal?  He's special!  People sit down and watch videos along with performances to decide these things.  You can't award someone something based on stats, that's like saying John Carew is the greatest and show me his highlights and how he won Ligue 1 with Lyon, beating Madrid etc.

Stats tell lies!  Beckam was the best passer when he was in England..why - most passes completed etc.  It never made him the best player in the world.  Get obsessed with stats!  There's more to life that stats.  Stats would show that Lampard is the most wasteful player in front of goal, it wouldn't tell you that he makes room for other players and how he positions himself. 

It will obviously show as well that England players are the most overrated in world football, but you'd disagree too.   Best league, best players, best coaches, best teams, but the national team struggles to qualify for European championships in a group with Russia and Croatia.  I bet you have trouble naming the back line for either team. 

Why not give it to Tevez then?  Greatest individual contribution last season...

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JOGO BONITA!

Gregory:

 

 Do you know that people argue and compare the Champions League with the World Cup and which one is actually better?  No doubt, i believe the World Cup is the best, but for the large part, the majority of players who perform up to the let's say the quarter-final or semi-final stages of the WC have played in the CL or play in Europe.  The Intercontinental Cup is not seen as important, Liverpool wanted to even drop-out!  Barcelona travelled for at least 12-14 hrs, came back and never recovered.

Brazil played Germany in 2002 :  Check and see how many of those players won the South American championship.  Italy played France.  Obviously, there's no need to say where those players played.  The list goes on!  As Enthusiast says, Maradona, Pele, Ronaldinho etc. have not  won the trophies that Riquelme has won, but who cares...they have won the major trophies recognised in World Football.  Watch and see if at all Riquelme comes to his senses and he wins a couple trophies around Europe that he is touted as the best player in the World.  The best players in the World play in Europe today, if you're not playing there, then you better show off in International competitions, not fair, it's reality.

The trophy also takes into consideration some of this season, i think.  Riquelme didn't play the full season at Boca Juniors either and we can't have a player who doesn't seem to care much being World Player of the Year.  

My award will go to Riquelme, but since he's completely ignored by fifa (his best season 2005 was ignored when he should have got it then, instead Lampard was 2nd best in the world according to fifa.. so i dont expect to see him in the top 4 this year)MR. TEEE  DON'T GET CARRIED AWAY!  DO YOU REMEMBER WHO WON THE TROPHY IN 2005?  RONALDINHO!  DO YOU KNOW WHAT HE WON?  A CHAMPIONS LEAGUE AND LA LIGA TITLE!  Frank Lampard won the EPL & Carling Cup.  What did Riquelme win?  Pundits! Recognition! 

You have a case this  year where Kaka won the CL, 3rd in Serie A, Super Cup, 10 goals in CL & schooling United twice. 

 C. Ronaldo won the EPL, semi-final CL, final Fa Cup & Carling Cup. 

Gregory what age are you?? Because you sound like a fucking 15 year old.. so ignorant and careless..

"The Intercontinental Cup is not seen as important, Liverpool wanted to even drop-out! Barcelona travelled for at least 12-14 hrs, came back and never recovered.", The Intercontinental Cup is not seen as important?? To whom jakass!! to whom!! if it's not important to you, that's only natural because you're one of the dumbest posters I've dealt with.. The Intercontinental Cup is the Cup between the Copa Libertadores Champion and the Champions League Champion, Guess what?? Copa Libertadoes Champions, or better said South American Champions have won over European Champions by 25-21, and this Cup is very important to all clubs.. I don't know what's your source, but it's a fucking bad one.. just so you know..

Do you forget that Diego Maradona failed in his first World Cup (1982), it was in his second World Cup that Maradona won the greatest Touaments of them all.. The way I see it Riquelme has only played in one World Cup, and he had the most assists.. World Cup 2010, let's see what happens.. And once again you were retarded enough to compare Riquelme's Argentina with Pelé's Brazil.. What the *** did Ronaldinho do at World Cup 2002 - 2 assists and 1 free-kick!! what's the deal about that! the 2002 World Cup was all about Rivaldo and Ronaldo.. When it was Ronaldinho's time in 2006, he choked and prove how much of a flop he can be.. Do not mistake Ronaldinho with Rivaldo, both Brazilians, two different players..

"Riquelme didn't play the full season at Boca Juniors either and we can't have a player who doesn't seem to care much being World Player of the Year." Who the f-u-c-k are you to say which player should or shouldn't be considered, and becasue of his attitude!!.. You're pathetic, you think like a fucking under age kid.. this is football, it's not about who cares the most, it's about who plays the best football and Riquelme played the best football last season.. you don't like Riquelme's attitude, f-u-c-k off!! Who should win it in Gregory's opinion - Kaká, of course!! Who should win it next year - Ronaldinho, of course!! Who should win it in 2009 - Alexandre Pato, of course!! This is getting ridiculous!! Brazilians, Brazilians, Brazilians!! 44 percent of the 'World Player of the Year awards have gone to Brazilians - and this is a fact, and an embarrasing one I must say because there's no way that in the last 17 years half of the world's best players came from Brazil.. that's ridiculous, where is - Riquelme, Francesco Totti, Thierry Henry, Batistuta, etc.. etc..

Oh and by the way, learn how to read.. Because I clearly stated that 'Riquelme had the same amounts of appearances as Ronaldinho - 46 Appearances.."

And you even stated "I think Argentine players are more loved by the world than Brazilians.." Great reflection, this explains why half of FIFA's World Player of the Year awards have gone to Brazilian players.. it all makes sense now, I knew there was something to it - Argentine players are so loved by the world that they have not won a single World Player of the Year award.. thanks for explaining me the 'reality' of it Gregory.. you're really smart!!

And you keep saying your bullshite about "Stats tell lies! Beckham was the best passer when he was in England..why - most passes completed etc. It never made him the best player in the world." No SHITE, everyone knows stats tell lies, and aren't accurate.. but the World Player of the Year needs good stats.. Another very important fact is that Riquelme plays much better than his stats suggest.. Everyone knows Riquelme is about 'game' not 'stats'.. you're the only idiot who compares Riquelme with Lampard, Beckham, John Carew.. You should compare Riquelme with Zidane, not with Lampard or Beckham.. Gregory you really make a fool of yourself with these weak arguments.

 I don't care about season 2005, this is this year's World Player of the Year, and the best player of season 2006-07 was Riquelme.. if it's not Riquelme, than it is Cristiano Ronaldo..

 Riquelme won Copa Libertadores, 2nd Argentine Primera División, 8 goals and 4 assists in Copa Libertadores, hat-trick in Copa Libertadores Final, 5 goals and 3 assists in Copa America, Copa America Final.

Cristiano Ronaldo won the EPL, semi-final CL, final FA Cup, Carling Cup, and schooling Roma twice (something Kaká has never managed in Serie A..)..

Kaka won the CL, 3rd in Serie A, Super Cup (Francesco Totti won better Cups than this one..) , 10 goals in CL & schooling United twice (You seem to ignore how Cristiano Ronaldo schooled Roma and AC Milan..) 

I don't know, I think the best player is Riquelme, the Carling Cup is rather below the Copa Libertadores or Champions League, the EPL is not in the same class as the Copa Libertadores, and semi-final CL - Riquelme did this with Villarreal.. Then there's always the fact that Riquelme reached the Copa America Final, and the Copa Libertadores Final, so this are 2 prestigious Finals.. Something Kaká and Cristiano Ronaldo couldn't achieve last season..

Riquelme also played an important part in Boca Juniors 2nd place finish, and it's been argued (by Argentine critics) that had Riquelme played the complete season with Boca, Boca Juniors would've surely won the title..

And Kaká should be out of the race, it's ridiculous and embarrasing (in my opinion) that people think Kaká should win the award.. he was nothing outstanding in Serie A!!, the Champions League wasn't about Kaká! but becasue he's Brazilian he's the favourite to win it.. And it's even more ridiculous when people say that "Kaká and Pirlo both deserve it", yeah right.. while you're ad it let's award it to the complete AC Milan team; ' Kaká, Pirlo, Seedorf, and Gattuso ' all deserve the award, why not?? the FIFA World Player of the Year award is a worthless honour, it proves nothing, it'a joke, and everyone knows it.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Gregory - who cares what you think!! You embarrass yourself with these replies..

---

Johan Cruijff; "Simple football is the most beautiful. But playing simple football is the hardest thing".

It doesn't matter what YOU think OBVIOUSLY!  Kaka will be crowned as World Player of the Year as he should and you can talk from now til the cows come home.  The only chance Riquelme really got to justify your sentiments was in the Copa America and he was beaten SOUNDLY by a KAKA-less Brazil: 3-0.  So why should somebody take Kaka's trophy and give it to Riquelme. 

Maybe if South America organised their trophies properly, as in a Gala presentation to their outstanding performers, somebody around the World would take you and them seriously.  However, until then - TALK - the cows have not come home yet! As for schooling Roma, Riquelme schooled Barcelona in 2005, but the real currency was trophies back then and Fifa like anybody with sense ranks the Champions League above the South American equivalent by giving it more weighted points.   They do it with the EPL, Serie A and La Liga by ranking them over the Dutch League and so on.  It's life!  They are extremely bright people in African Universities, but American and European Universities are ranked higher, so what, keeping working!

The trophy is worthless to you, the English and whoever else who do not win it.  However, the truth is that it is worth quite a bit.  Ask Ronaldinho, Zidane, Ronaldo, Romario, Henry, George Weah and other persons who made the final 3 if it was worthless and if contracts didn't improve, marketing contracts increased, more defenders didn't mark them and so on.  Ask around!  This is just like Laptop being worthless to a homeless man.  It's worthless because you don't know how it feels.  The Golden Ball at the World Cup isn't worthless too?  The Champions League isn't worthless to West Ham United too? 

These things are often said to be worthless to persons either not involved or who never experienced its glory.  Ronaldinho, Weah, Henry, Ronaldo and so on obviously do not agree with you, because they try to win it every year.  Do not confuse worthless with defeat.  You feel defeated because Riquelme WILL NOT win the World Player of the Year award because as Drucurl said, he's your pet lamb, your favourite player and you prefer him to these silly brazilians who seem to win more trophies than the Argies on the World Stage.  How dare they?  They think they are better than us. cry me a river...Riquelme isn't winning any 4-king tournament unless Messi and Tevez etc let him.  That's exactly like Henry wasn't winning no tournament without Zidane.  And as for those stats - EXACTLY!  He was the best passer in Europe but never won it on stats.  He came 2nd!  to who, Rivaldo! why - Copa America, top scorer and MVP, runner-up in WC, la liga, copa del rey.

PS:  What more did Totti win than Kaka last season?  A humiliation at Old Trafford can hardly be bettered!  2nd place in Serie A and what else?  OH!  The Italian cup and super cup....oooooohhhhh - watch out, we really have to watch that one Totti, he deserves to be World Player of the Year.  Why don't you argue that half the teams in Brazil, Argentina and Mexico are better than half those overrated EPL teams,  who can't produce players good enough to qualify for a European Cup, much less win it.  I miss those days when I could've seen Gremio ,Santos, River Plate and the other south american league teams play football.

Anyway, as i said before, you can argue about what's fair and not fair in this world, it doesn't matter.  I suggest you argue about real issues like why Britain went to Iraq with the US?  Why Saddam was responsible for killing so many people?  Keeping arguing bull$hit!  Argue why Europe have so many teams in a WC when senegal can beat France.  Argue why Brazil had to even qualify fo rthe last tournament.  Argue if Platini is right to want more equity of teams in the CL.  Argue something of substance instead of blazing stats that only contribute a part of the decision.  Coaches and players vote for this you know...there's politics, money and other things involved, but you pretend not to now this and YOU are the one argiung like a 15 yr old who just learnt probability at school.  Everyone who wins the World PLayer of the Year, I would've loved to be in my team...i don't care if Riquelme is in my team or not and Barcelona agrees with me.

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JOGO BONITA!

people, how do you exactly rate a "best player"  aside from the number of goals and assist he does in a game?

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Great post Gregory..... 

• entusiasta, it is SAD that you seem to mention that Riquelme won the Copa Libertadores in EVERY POST!!!  We know!! We got it!!!!

You're trying to force down our throats that Riquelme is a genius a living legend etc etc !!!! We have just as much right to our opinion as you. I'd really wish that you would end your childish insults when someone doesn't agree with you you too gregory )

Riquelme is a really good player....no one disagrees with this. I personally think that he IS a genius. However my only contention is that he isn't a real champion AT the highest level.....In the minds of the greatest football critics the TWO greatest tournaments are the World Cup and the Chamions' League. Fabio Cannavaro won the WC and then the WOPY even though Zidane was arguably the best player at the WC.... it's a bit unfair to ZZ but that's life. ZZ however won the WC AND the CL as well. Maradonna won the WC and a Uefa Cup....do you notice a trend here? The trend is that Pele aside almost all the WOPY winners have achieved some measure of success in Europe. Ronaldo- even though he never won the CL won the Uefa cup with Inter and the Cup Winners' Cup with Barca.....

Riquelme may have played well in Europe but the Intertoto Cup aside, he hasn't really shone the way Zidane or Kaka for that matter did. I mean Kaka almost singlehandedly brought down a GIANT like ManU- making their defenders look like fools in the process. I believe it's this match in particular will be CR7's undoing.....because, if I'm thinking just like the FIFA awards committee, ...if CR7 was THAT good then he should have been able to terrorise Milan's super old defence...Instead it was Kaka making a mockery of Ferdinand (one of England's findest CB), Heinze and co........additionally if you consider that this is the team that beat Roma 8-3 on agg then you really have to salute Kaka's brilliance....I notice that no comment is made on Kaka's performance following the 0-0 draw...aaaah well I guess you'll only remember when he plays crap

---

You can have this one.....
the other 99 belong to us
Forza Ronaldo!
Forza Milan!

drucurl:

 

Great post Gregory..... 

• entusiasta, it is SAD that you seem to mention that Riquelme won the Copa Libertadores in EVERY POST!!!  We know!! We got it!!!!

You're trying to force down our throats that Riquelme is a genius a living legend etc etc !!!! We have just as much right to our opinion as you. I'd really wish that you would end your childish insults when someone doesn't agree with you you too gregory )

Riquelme is a really good player....no one disagrees with this. I personally think that he IS a genius. However my only contention is that he isn't a real champion AT the highest level.....In the minds of the greatest football critics the TWO greatest tournaments are the World Cup and the Chamions' League. Fabio Cannavaro won the WC and then the WOPY even though Zidane was arguably the best player at the WC.... it's a bit unfair to ZZ but that's life. ZZ however won the WC AND the CL as well. Maradonna won the WC and a Uefa Cup....do you notice a trend here? The trend is that Pele aside almost all the WOPY winners have achieved some measure of success in Europe. Ronaldo- even though he never won the CL won the Uefa cup with Inter and the Cup Winners' Cup with Barca.....

Riquelme may have played well in Europe but the Intertoto Cup aside, he hasn't really shone the way Zidane or Kaka for that matter did. I mean Kaka almost singlehandedly brought down a GIANT like ManU- making their defenders look like fools in the process. I believe it's this match in particular will be CR7's undoing.....because, if I'm thinking just like the FIFA awards committee, ...if CR7 was THAT good then he should have been able to terrorise Milan's super old defence...Instead it was Kaka making a mockery of Ferdinand (one of England's findest CB), Heinze and co........additionally if you consider that this is the team that beat Roma 8-3 on agg then you really have to salute Kaka's brilliance....I notice that no comment is made on Kaka's performance following the 0-0 draw...aaaah well I guess you'll only remember when he plays crap

 

My apologies for my childish behaviour.. I get pissed off, too often and too easily.. my bad.

I'm gald at least drucurl admits Riquelme IS a genius, and seems to hint there are some similarities between Zidane and Riquelme..

You think Kaká is a better player, and you're right you have as much right to your opinion.. It doesn't really matters becasue Kaká is a great player, I think he's overrated, but it's a fact he's great so.. I'm only going to say that half of Brazil thinks that - ' Riquelme is better than Kaká, only Europe doesn't knows it yet.. ' - This is an opinion shared by many Brazilians, and some Brazilian papers.. My only sugestion to drucurl; Watch Riquelme's game against Real Madrid in the Intercontinental Cup, and against Inter in the second leg of their Champions League..

And Riquelme was more impressive than Kaká in the Champions League, Kaká is great but he wasn't more impresive than Riquelme.. AC Milan shone in the Champions League, as a 'team', it wasn't Kaká alone..

Anyways as I said before; 'Carlos Ancelotti is a genius, but unfortunately he haves a clear preference towards Brazilian players..', It is a rumour, but it looks like AC Milan are considering signing Riquelme.. We've been arguing for quite some time about who's better between Kaká and Riquelme, and it could turn out that both players end up playing in the same midfield..

I hope so, Kaká will have more fredom, and Riquelme will be harder to mark.. The fact that Riquelme was most of the time man-marked in the Champions League, and he still got Villarreal through to the Semi-Finals, serves as evidence that Riquelme and Kaká would be a very formidable partnership.. Both of them atract a lot of mark/pressure, and as a consequence Ronaldo or Pato will have more freedom.. It could be vice-versa, maybe Kaká and Ronaldo receive the most marking, but that would mean Riquelme will be free from mark, and Riquelme is one of the most decisive players when he's not tightly marked; he could make an incredible pass, he could score a long range goal, or he'll just remain calm and keep posetion.. I think Kaká would play better with Riquelme at his side, instead of with Ronaldinho..

I wish it's not just another rumour because that'll be great for football.. We'll have 2 beautifull teams to watch in Barcelona and AC Milan.. And honestly signings are getting ridiculous, I mean; Real Madrid wants Kaká and Cesc Fabregas. AC Milan wants Ronaldinho.. etc.. Kaká is not leaving Milan, Ronaldinho is not leaving Barcelona, and Cesc Fabregas is staying with Wenger.. On the other hand, Riquelme is one of the best playmakers in the world and he's perfectly available, I hope AC Milan doesn't waste this opportunity, becasue Riquelme wants to prove himself in Europe's biggest stage once again, he wants to prove Pellegrini wrong, etc.. AC Milan shouldn't waste Riquelme's class, price, and desire..

Lastly, I hope someday you'll reach the conclution that the Copa Libertadores is in the same league as the Champions League.. Less big-names, much less money, different style of football but just as prestigious. Pelé is arguably the most successful player in World Cup history, and he played his entire career in South America and in the Copa Loibertadores.. the Copa Libertadores was his training ground for the World Cup.

 

---

Johan Cruijff; "Simple football is the most beautiful. But playing simple football is the hardest thing".

entusiasta:

drucurl:

 

 

Great post Gregory..... 

• entusiasta, it is SAD that you seem to mention that Riquelme won the Copa Libertadores in EVERY POST!!!  We know!! We got it!!!!

You're trying to force down our throats that Riquelme is a genius a living legend etc etc !!!! We have just as much right to our opinion as you. I'd really wish that you would end your childish insults when someone doesn't agree with you you too gregory )

Riquelme is a really good player....no one disagrees with this. I personally think that he IS a genius. However my only contention is that he isn't a real champion AT the highest level.....In the minds of the greatest football critics the TWO greatest tournaments are the World Cup and the Chamions' League. Fabio Cannavaro won the WC and then the WOPY even though Zidane was arguably the best player at the WC.... it's a bit unfair to ZZ but that's life. ZZ however won the WC AND the CL as well. Maradonna won the WC and a Uefa Cup....do you notice a trend here? The trend is that Pele aside almost all the WOPY winners have achieved some measure of success in Europe. Ronaldo- even though he never won the CL won the Uefa cup with Inter and the Cup Winners' Cup with Barca.....

Riquelme may have played well in Europe but the Intertoto Cup aside, he hasn't really shone the way Zidane or Kaka for that matter did. I mean Kaka almost singlehandedly brought down a GIANT like ManU- making their defenders look like fools in the process. I believe it's this match in particular will be CR7's undoing.....because, if I'm thinking just like the FIFA awards committee, ...if CR7 was THAT good then he should have been able to terrorise Milan's super old defence...Instead it was Kaka making a mockery of Ferdinand (one of England's findest CB), Heinze and co........additionally if you consider that this is the team that beat Roma 8-3 on agg then you really have to salute Kaka's brilliance....I notice that no comment is made on Kaka's performance following the 0-0 draw...aaaah well I guess you'll only remember when he plays crap

 

 

 

My apologies for my childish behaviour.. I get pissed off, too often and too easily.. my bad.

I'm gald at least drucurl admits Riquelme IS a genius, and seems to hint there are some similarities between Zidane and Riquelme..

You think Kaká is a better player, and you're right you have as much right to your opinion.. It doesn't really matters becasue Kaká is a great player, I think he's overrated, but it's a fact he's great so.. I'm only going to say that half of Brazil thinks that - ' Riquelme is better than Kaká, only Europe doesn't knows it yet.. ' - This is an opinion shared by many Brazilians, and some Brazilian papers.. My only sugestion to drucurl; Watch Riquelme's game against Real Madrid in the Intercontinental Cup, and against Inter in the second leg of their Champions League..

And Riquelme was more impressive than Kaká in the Champions League, Kaká is great but he wasn't more impresive than Riquelme.. AC Milan shone in the Champions League, as a 'team', it wasn't Kaká alone..

Anyways as I said before; 'Carlos Ancelotti is a genius, but unfortunately he haves a clear preference towards Brazilian players..', It is a rumour, but it looks like AC Milan are considering signing Riquelme.. We've been arguing for quite some time about who's better between Kaká and Riquelme, and it could turn out that both players end up playing in the same midfield..

I hope so, Kaká will have more fredom, and Riquelme will be harder to mark.. The fact that Riquelme was most of the time man-marked in the Champions League, and he still got Villarreal through to the Semi-Finals, serves as evidence that Riquelme and Kaká would be a very formidable partnership.. Both of them atract a lot of mark/pressure, and as a consequence Ronaldo or Pato will have more freedom.. It could be vice-versa, maybe Kaká and Ronaldo receive the most marking, but that would mean Riquelme will be free from mark, and Riquelme is one of the most decisive players when he's not tightly marked; he could make an incredible pass, he could score a long range goal, or he'll just remain calm and keep posetion.. I think Kaká would play better with Riquelme at his side, instead of with Ronaldinho..

I wish it's not just another rumour because that'll be great for football.. We'll have 2 beautifull teams to watch in Barcelona and AC Milan.. And honestly signings are getting ridiculous, I mean; Real Madrid wants Kaká and Cesc Fabregas. AC Milan wants Ronaldinho.. etc.. Kaká is not leaving Milan, Ronaldinho is not leaving Barcelona, and Cesc Fabregas is staying with Wenger.. On the other hand, Riquelme is one of the best playmakers in the world and he's perfectly available, I hope AC Milan doesn't waste this opportunity, becasue Riquelme wants to prove himself in Europe's biggest stage once again, he wants to prove Pellegrini wrong, etc.. AC Milan shouldn't waste Riquelme's class, price, and desire..

Lastly, I hope someday you'll reach the conclution that the Copa Libertadores is in the same league as the Champions League.. Less big-names, much less money, different style of football but just as prestigious. Pelé is arguably the most successful player in World Cup history, and he played his entire career in South America and in the Copa Loibertadores.. the Copa Libertadores was his training ground for the World Cup.

 

Apology accepted  I apologise for all those G_A_Y insinuations though I'm sure you understand that they were just jokes .......I think it's better that we could discuss things rationally rather than get into a mudslinging contest. That helps NOBODY.

Now that you put it that way I guess Riquelme's comming to play for us wouldn't be that bad. The only problem is that Pirlo does pretty much the same thing that Riquelme does with the addes bonus of a lot of defensive contributions. So unless Riquelme is prepared to accept more defensive responsibilities he is going to spend his career at Milan on the bench or pushed out wide- a position that he clearly hates/sucks at:

4-3-2-1 sucks because there is NO width (esp as our fullbacks aren't up to standard)

Additionally I think being a lone striker may be too taxing physically for Ronaldo (I think he needs some degree of protection)

------Pirlo--Emerson/Gattuso--Ambro----

---------Riquelme/Seedorf--------Kaka/Gorcuff----------------

----------------Gila/R99/Pato/Pippo---------

4-1-2-1-2  will mean that FOR SURE Riquelme will be on the bench since he would be a Direct replacement for Kaka:

--------------Emerson/Gattuso/Ambro---------------

Seedorf/Gorcuff---------------------------------Pirlo-----------

-----------------Kaka/Riquelme-----------------------

The last option is to pack the midfield with 4-5-1....This might be the MOST suitable for him since he can play in the middle and Kakacould do as he pleases....Milan could use TWO DM's and still accommodate Seedorf/Gorcuff

 

--------Ronaldo/Pato---------------Gila/Pippo

 

This leaves us with 4-4-2 where Riquelme will HAVE to play wide

 

--------Riquelme/Seedorf/Pirlo-----Ambro-----Emerson/Gattuso-----Kaka---

----------------------------Ronaldo/Pato---------------Gila/Pippo--------------

 

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You can have this one.....
the other 99 belong to us
Forza Ronaldo!
Forza Milan!