The FIFA Ballon d’Or award’s 23-man shortlist is a controversial one which instantly provoked debates among football fans over the choices for the nominees. Spanish, Dutch, and German players were always likely to be enlisted following the exploits of their respective national teams during the 2010 FIFA World Cup. However, just as Wayne Rooney’s elimination from the nominations has surprised the public, the inclusion of Ghana’s Asamoah Gyan besides the exclusion of Uruguay and Ajax’s Luis Suarez is set to cause an interesting debate.
Taking into account each player’s 2010 FIFA World Cup achievements, which of them really deserve to be in contention for the first edition of the combined FIFA Player of the Year and Ballon d’Or awards – actually named the FIFA Ballon d’Or? What does Luis Suarez’s omission, in truth, reveals? Is it, in a way or another, as part of the punishment for his unpopular “Hand of the Devil” incident which he boldly defended despite FIFA’s criticism that was based on role model concerns?
What Do Asamoah Gyan And Luis Suarez Represent In Football?
For Africans and Ghanaians, Asamoah Gyan is worthy of being portrayed as one of the Black Continent’s hero. The striker made a positive impact during the 2010 FIFA World Cup although his adventure in South Africa dramatically suffered a bad end. Ironically, his opposite number – Luis Suarez – was strongly involved in the unfortunate fate which slapped Ghana’s Black Stars; what happened in the Ghana vs Uruguay 2010 World Cup quarter-final match needs not to be reminded as the average football fan is certainly aware of it.
Meanwhile, Asamoah Gyan also let a portion of diehard pro-African supporters to develop emotions of disappointment and even hatred towards him. To some extent, humiliation also caught expectant fans following the player’s heartbreaking last-second penalty miss which deprived Ghana from overcoming Africa’s World Cup quarter-final jinx.
Luis Suarez, however, turned into the fans favorite through his hard-working performances for Uruguay during the group stages and the Last 16 of the 2010 FIFA World Cup. But his infamous save against Ghana – which got baptized as the “Hand of the Devil” by pro-African hopefuls – instantly fragmented the opinion of the public.
While the average patriotic Uruguayan football fan offered support to Luis Suarez and shared emotions of pride with the world, many understood the player’s handball incident but then criticized his “arrogant and unrepentant” behavior subsequent to what had happen. Well, in Africa, it’s no doubt Luis Suarez’s name turned into a blasphemy to the supporters’ love for the beautiful game of football.
However, in general and analytically, the World Cup helped Ghana and FIFA Ballon d’Or nominee Asamoah Gyan to spread a positive message to Africa and the world of football. His non-superstar status didn’t prevent him from making less wonders in South Africa than big names such as Cristiano Ronaldo or Cesc Fabregas who are also FIFA Ballon d’Or nominees. The rest of the story about Asamoah Gyan and Ghana in the quarter-finals of the 2010 World Cup would be left to bad luck and fate…
Meanwhile, what does Luis Suarez really represent as a football ambassador worldwide? Yes, opinions are widely divided and the Uruguayan striker now has two different images in the eyes of many: Luis Suarez is a cheat to some, a hero to others, and both to a few people.
FIFA Ballon d’Or Nominee Asamoah Gyan vs Luis Suarez
Actually, both Asamoah Gyan and Luis Suarez caught the eye of the public during the 2010 World Cup especially although Suarez’s remarkable 2009/10 season with Ajax had put him ahead of Gyan in terms of recognition status going into the tournament. But the Ghanaian’s important goals for the Black Stars (which lifted Africa’s hopes until everything crashed in the quarter-finals of the World Cup) may give some football fans a better reason to rank Gyan with 2010 World Cup Golden Ball winner and fellow FIFA Ballon d'Or nominee Diego Forlan instead of Luis Suarez (who is now more remembered for his “Hand of the Devil”).
Apart from his handball incident, which got punished by FIFA through a one-match ban, did Luis Suarez “help” Uruguay more than Asamoah Gyan influenced Ghana’s memorable feat in South Africa? How should have both players’ heroics be rated and rewarded based on what they offered throughout last term to the development and the image of football? How could FIFA exclude the reigning Dutch Player of the Year - who scored 49 goals in all competitions last season - from the FIFA Ballon d'Or award? Is there a case of further punishment against Suarez for his "Hand of the Devil" gesture?
These are the kind of questions which will keep being asked by football fans concerned about this Asamoah Gyan vs Luis Suarez FIFA Ballon d'Or award matter. In the meantime, the reality is that the Ghanaian has been honored with nomination for the FIFA Ballon d’Or whereas “Hand of the Devil” maker – Luis Suarez – might only watch the awards ceremony from his TV set come January 11, 2011.
Keep in touch with LiveSoccerTV.com for coverage of the FIFA Ballon d’Or. In the meantime, get Live Streaming and TV Schedule info of Asamoah Gyan’s next English Premier League match with Sunderland.
