Lionel Messi
Argentina and Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi is the titleholder having won the award during the past three years. Individually, La Pulga broke several records which include Pele’s highest goal tally in a calendar year.
He netted half a hundred goals in the Spanish Primera Division to beat runner-up Cristiano Ronaldo for the Pichichi award. Lionel Messi also made history by clinching his fourth straight UEFA Champions League top scorer award.
At the national level, his goals have put Argentina in a great position to qualify for the 2014 FIFA World Cup. The father-of-one has a big pool of admirers both for his skills as a footballer and his personality off-the-pitch.
Cristiano Ronaldo
Cristiano Ronaldo will need to seduce his voters. The Portuguese icon is widely considered as being conceited. His achievements have been overshadowed by Lionel Messi’s feats during the last few years. This time, 2008 Ballon d’Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo puts in a stronger challenge.
The Real Madrid number 7 can boast about having scored crucial goals to defeat Lionel Messi’s Barcelona twice – en route to La Liga and Supercopa de Espana glory. The Portugal captain also led his country all the way to the semi-finals of the 2012 UEFA European Championship.
Andres Iniesta
Andres Iniesta is currently portrayed as the best midfielder in the world. The Spaniard’s creativity on the ball helped La Furia Roja to extend their European reign by clinching the Euro 2012 title. Iniesta was also one of Barcelona’s goal scorers in their 2011/12 UEFA Champions League semi-final defeat against Chelsea in which Lionel Messi missed from the penalty spot at the Camp Nou.
No Radamel Falcao?
Andres Iniesta, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo each have their particular strengths. Football fans will know the name of the 2012 FIFA Ballon d’Or winner at a Gala in January 2013. In the meantime, many may debate on the omission of UEFA Europa League and UEFA Super Cup champion Radamel Falcao. Should the Colombian and Atletico Madrid star striker have made the cut?
Watch out for El Tigre to launch a fierce attack against Barcelona's Copa del Rey champions Iniesta and Lionel Messi as well as Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo until the end of the 2012/13 season. Atletico are currently sandwiched between Barcelona and Real Madrid in the Spanish Primera Division standings. The Madrid derby this weekend could add more swing to the title race.
