Comments on: Xavi’s understated brilliance deserves recognition

By: kovolikessoccer

kovolikessoccer — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 17:55:47 +0000

Xavi is a great player who is way under glorified. Give him his credit he is an awesome player.

http://www.soccershop.com

By: Kevin Fylan

Kevin Fylan — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 19:18:23 +0000

Right, Lee. I’m astonished at Iniesta not being there. The shortlists last year were even worse, I think. http://blogs.reuters.com/soccer/2007/11/ 30/friday-afternoon-question-whos-really -the-best-player-of-2007/
It seemed like the FIFA nominations had just come from the boot manufacturers, but now you mention it, perhaps the video game market had a hand in it as well.

By: Kevin Fylan

Kevin Fylan — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 19:15:43 +0000

Hi Gonzalo. I didn’t see enough of Villarreal last seaosn to really comment but you could see at Euro 2008 what a useful player he is. The unsung hero of that team absolutely

By: Lee@guillembalague.com

Lee@guillembalague.com — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 11:20:03 +0000

You beat me to it Kevin – 2 words. Andres Iniesta!!!!

What is wrong with the people that compile these lists – and dont get mestarted on some of the names that have made it?!?! I wonder if they just pluck these names off the latest update of their favourite video game…

By: Gonzalo @ All In White

Gonzalo @ All In White — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 11:12:57 +0000

Given that big tournament wins carry a lot of weight in these popularity contests (do we really need an individual award in what is essentially a team sport?) then it’s likely to be either a Manchester United or a Spain player.

Plenty (far too much) has been said about Cristiano Ronaldo. I agree with the article that not enough emphasis has been placed on players of Xavi’s quality.

And yet, I’d like to add my voice for another relatively unsung hero of Spain’s Euro 2008 campaign: Marcos Senna. A titanic effort in the defensive half of midfield meant that many opposition attacks foundered before they really got going. And he has done an equally admirable job at Villareal, who will hopefully get some recognition this season in their Champions League campaign.

There, I have 5 Real Madrid players to choose from in the shortlist, and I pick one from Villareal? What’s wrong with me?

http://allinwhite.blogspot.com

By: mark

mark — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 10:37:42 +0000

The Ballon D’Or is all a bit confused now anyone can win it rather than European or European-based players as in the past. Now there is little to distinguish it from the FIFA World Player, like England’s PFA or football writers’ awards.
I’d give world player to Ronaldo for being a showman and give Ballon D’Or to a more sophisticated choice like Xabi or probably Messi