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No FIFA Ballon d’Or for award nominee Cristiano Ronaldo on Monday, January 9
The truth is that the Real Madrid and Portugal star winger will not even attend the ceremony. Along with his manager, Jose Mourinho, Cristiano Ronaldo will remain in Spain to respect the club’s fixture list.Real Madrid actually have a crucial match to play against Malaga in the Copa del Rey on Tuesday night. Barcelona, meanwhile, will engage in cup action on Thursday. The timing of the awards night definitely doesn’t interfere with the schedule of FIFA Ballon d’Or nominees Xavi and Lionel Messi.
Speaking about Messi, he is the hot favorite to triumph on Monday night. The skill of the reigning Champions League, La Liga, Spanish Supercopa and FIFA Club World Cup champion is approved by millions of football fans around the globe.
Arsenal Star Gervinho Shortlisted for BBC African Footballer of the Year Award
His good start for the Gunners, and his performances in Africa and France have all played a part in Gervinho receiving a nomination for the BBC African Footballer of the Year award.During the first half of 2011, Gervinho played a key role as Lille won the Ligue 1 and Coupe de France double for the first time since 1946.
Gervinho scored a goal in the Coupe de France semi-final victory over Nice, and finished the season with a total of 15 league goals and 10 assists.
The Ivorian playmaker’s fine form attracted the interest of many top clubs around Europe, and he was signed by Arsenal in July for a reported fee of over 10 million pounds.
Gervinho’s Arsenal career got off to a stuttering start, after he was sent off in his debut for slapping Newcastle United midfielder Joey Barton. While it could be argued that a majority of football fans want to slap Joey Barton, the act saw Gervinho heavily criticized and subsequently banned for three games.
Arsenal Striker Robin van Persie Wins Premier League Player of the Month Award
Not only was it a month when Van Persie established himself as the Premier League’s elite striker, October was a time when Arsenal got their season firmly back on track after a stuttering start to their campaign.Arsenal began the month with a disappointing 2-1 defeat to arch rivals Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane, a result that left the Gunners sitting only two points above the relegation zone.
However things looked very different 27 days later, when Arsenal beat Chelsea 5-3 at Stamford Bridge to register their third straight win and climb up to 7th place in the Premier League table.
During the month Arsenal also progressed into the Carling Cup quarter-finals with a 2-1 win over Bolton Wanderers, and put themselves in a good position to qualify for the UEFA Champions League knockout stages with a 1-0 victory in Marseille.
Cristiano Ronaldo portrays unselfish behavior at Golden Boot Award presentation
The 26-year-old revealed his delight at being surrounded by two of football’s greatest names—Eusebio and Di Stefano. He recalled his aim to become a legend of the game and added, according to Real Madrid’s official website:“I now wish to savor this Golden Boot. I'm very happy. This is a very important moment in my career because I never thought I'd have the numbers I've gotten on this team. I wish to dedicate this to the fans and to my team mates.”
Downplaying the importance of individual achievements, Cristiano Ronaldo added:
FIFA Ballon d’Or 2011 award shortlists for men’s player and coach of the year revealed
Most football fans are particularly interested in the player award nomination. Lionel Messi, who is the reigning champion, is poised to retain his title. However, his 2011 Copa America fiasco with Argentina could cost him a ball made of gold. A potential contender would be Luis Suarez. The ex-Ajax striker was controversially omitted from the 2010 FIFA Ballon d'Or award list.Expectedly, Xavi and Cristiano Ronaldo have been named alongside Messi whereas Sergio Aguero, Nani, Wayne Rooney and Luis Suarez are the only English Premier League-based players in the list.
Interestingly, young Brazilian star Neymar is part of it. Copa America hero Diego Forlan and Anzhi Makhachkala’s Samuel Eto’o have been included as well.
Why Rooney is on track to beating Messi, Ronaldo and Xavi as the world’s best
When football fans discuss about their opinion concerning the world’s best player, it is most likely for the names of Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Xavi Hernandez to come out from their mouth. Since the past 3 or 4 years, awards have been mainly contested by Messi and Ronaldo.
The pair—composed of Argentine talent and Portuguese trickery—has taken world football’s stage by storm. Midfielder Xavi has also strengthened into a maestro.
Where Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Xavi have ranked in recent FIFA Awards:
2007 Ballon d’Or: Cristiano Ronaldo 2nd, Lionel Messi 3rd
2008 Ballon d’Or: Cristiano Ronaldo 1st, Lionel Messi 2nd
Lionel Messi tops Xavi and Cristiano Ronaldo for the UEFA Best Player Award
Sports journalists from UEFA member associations casted votes to elect the 2011 UEFA Player of the Year. The shortlist contained the likes of eventual winner Lionel Messi, runner-up Xavi and third-placed Cristiano Ronaldo. Argentine superstar Messi inspired Barcelona to clinch the 2010/11 UEFA Champions League trophy and finished as the competition’s top scorer with 12 goals. In total, La Pulga hit 53 goals for Barca last season as the Blaugrana retained their La Liga crown but ended behind Cristiano Ronaldo’s Real Madrid in the Spanish Copa del Rey.
Following his individual triumph, Lionel Messi talked to UEFA.com. The 24-year-old issued this statement:
PFA Award Nomination: A Closer Look At The Seven-Man Shortlist
It has been grandiloquent season of football in the English Premier League as talented athletes from the best teams in England provided first class entertainment to millions of global fans worldwide. Teams like Blackpool and Bolton have impressed people from all walks of life while traditional forces which include Manchester United, Arsenal, Liverpool and Chelsea provided their fair share of entertainment and shocks as well.
What are the barriers to success in the Premier League? Is it holding onto a lead or is it playing at a high tempo? We all talk about hunger and desire but are there barriers in the lower ranked clubs that act against the real quest for success in top half of the Premier League? It's pretty simple in fact. Everybody knows how big-name players are needed to add that little bit of magic into a particular team.
This is perhaps the fundamental reason that separates the best clubs in England and the minor clubs. That little bit of 'class' that stands out among certain players have helped their respective clubs shine when it all mattered in the so called 'best' league in the world. Nonetheless, PFA have shortlisted seven individuals who have impressed throughout the course of this season and Live Soccer TV provides a closer look at those selected ones.
Pan-European media rights awarded to Eurosport
· The annual editions of the men’s and women’s youth national team European championships at Under-19 and Under-17 levels;
· UEFA Women’s Champions League final and UEFA European Women’s Championship 2011/13;
· The yearly futsal club competition, UEFA Futsal Cup, and the national team futsal competition, UEFA European Futsal Championship 2011/12.
Arsene Wenger and Scott Parker Snap Up Monthly Awards
Arsene Wenger was awarded that Manager of The Month Award for the month of February after Arsenal stayed unbeaten through that period. Scott Parker was also a winner when he snapped up the Player of the Month award after some heroic efforts for his team that has seen the Hammers move out of the relegation zone.This is the 11th time Arsene Wenger has been awarded with this prize after Arsenal were unbeaten in the league throughout February. That run has now seen them being in 2nd place- 4 points behind Manchester United with a game in hand.
Meanwhile, Scott Parker was in terrific form over the month of February that has seen West Ham notch up some important wins over the likes of Blackpool and Liverpool. Parker, who scored in the win against Liverpool said: "It is certainly a great honor.
Mourinho: Why Did Lionel Messi Win The FIFA Ballon d’Or Award Again?
On Monday night, the Argentine recorded a “surprise win” at the FIFA Ballon d’Or Gala as he beat his Barcelona team mates – Iniesta and Xavi – to win the FIFA Ballon d’Or Award for the second time in a row. Despite Lionel Messi’s incomparable individual statistics throughout the year 2010, midfield maestro Xavi was tipped as the most deserving player to be named as football’s best. However, the 2010 World Cup winner – along with his Spain and Barca pal Andres Iniesta – couldn’t prevent Argentina’s Lionel Messi from holding on to this title. After the FIFA Ballon d’Or Gala, World Coach of the Year Award winner Mourinho was asked by AS to share his views on the final choice for the FIFA Ballon d’Or 2010 award to which he responded:
FIFA Ballon d’Or 2010: Xavi, Messi, Iniesta – Who Will Be Award-Winner?
In this article, we look at each Ballon d’Or 2010 contender from the final shortlist. As we jump directly into the subject, we start with midfielder Xavi Hernandez.
FIFA Ballon d’Or 2010 Award Contender: Xavi Hernandez
Expert in: through balls, short passes, long balls, and organization on the field.
Country and Club: Spain and FC Barcelona
Contribution in 2010 World Cup: 1 assist in 7 starts
In the 2009/10 season: Xavi got 3 goals and made 14 assists in 34 La Liga games, while he netted a single goal and produced 3 assists in the UEFA Champions League. In the Copa del Rey, he started twice and appeared once as a substitute; he clinched 2 goals without any assist in that competition.
FIFA Ballon d’Or 2010: Winner’s Award Is For Barcelona’s Pride – Guardiola
Remarkably, FIFA Ballon d’Or 2010 contenders Lionel Messi, Andres Iniesta and Xavi are all products from Barcelona’s youth academy. On Monday, one of them will be crowned football’s best player but the fact that the award is being contended by men from the same team only shows how great Barcelona’s youth system has been over the years.
This is something which clubs like Real Madrid or Chelsea cannot boast about. To think that the Catalans did not spend one penny on the transfer market to acquire these enviable superstars is amazing. Now, Pep Guardiola has stated that the entire team at Barcelona will have a reason to celebrate the FIFA Ballon d’Or 2010 award.
Cristiano Ronaldo Named Football’s Biggest Cheat Award Winner
On Wednesday night earlier this week, referee Claus Bo Larsen took charge of his last Champions League as AC Milan went down 2-0 against Ajax. The 45-year-old man then spoke to Ekstra Bladet and said about Cristiano Ronaldo:“He is always out to get a cheap free-kick especially at home. We tended to talk before games about how he would go down easily.
“We know how not to be biased. But we have to be prepared too. Cristiano Ronaldo has a clean slate at the start of every game.
“When he would lie down after failing to win a free-kick, he smiles at me because he knows that I don’t fall for his theatrics.”
FIFA Ballon d’Or Award: No Place For Inter Milan’s Diego Milito, How Come?
The Argentine forward’s adventure during the 2010 FIFA World Cup wasn’t memorable as he had to assume the role of a bench player for the most part. However, his achievement in club football impressed the public as he helped Inter Milan to win the treble. In the final of the 2010 UEFA Champions League, it was his two goals which smashed Bayern Munich’s hopes at the benefit of the Nerazzurri. Diego Milito eventually achieved recognition and received the UEFA Club Forward and Footballer of the Year awards.
Subsequently, his exclusion from the FIFA Ballon d’Or shortlist surprised both football fans and Inter Milan president Massimo Moratti who told Eurosport:
FIFA Ballon d’Or Award Debate: Why Was Asamoah Gyan Nominated But Not Luis Suarez?
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?
Ghana And Sunderland’s Asamoah Gyan Nominated For African Player Of The Year Award
He stood out as Africa’s most impressive player during the 2010 FIFA World Cup tournament as he powered Ghana into the quarter-finals where an eventful and dramatic game saw Uruguay prevail in a penalty shoot-out. Asamoah Gyan’s three goals and impressive performances saw him nominated for the World Cup Golden Ball award which was eventually won by La Celeste Olimpica’s Diego Forlan.
The Sunderland striker and ex-Rennes player has now been included in a 17-man list for Africa’s biggest individual honor, MTNfootball.com reported. He is one of the hot favorites to succeed Cote d’Ivoire and Chelsea’s Didier Drogba for the CAF African Player of the Year award. Gyan will also become the first Ghanaian to win the prize since Abedi Pele clinched it back in 1992.
Diego Forlan: UEFA Super Cup vs Inter Milan Is Important, Awards Aren’t
On their way to the Europa League glory, Atletico Madrid controversially saw out giants Liverpool who was then coached by Rafael Benitez. Now the Spanish outfit will once again come up against a side managed by Rafa – this time, it will be Inter Milan.
The Nerazzurri just enjoyed their best moment in terms of cup success last season. Led by Jose Mourinho (who is now in charge of Atletico Madrid’s local rivals Real Madrid), Inter Milan historically knocked out Pep Guardiola’s “invincible” Barcelona as they went all the way to lift the 2010 UEFA Champions League trophy at the Santiago Bernabeu.
World Cup 2010: Brazil - Luis Fabiano Profile, Statistics, Awards, And Expectations
Luis Fabiano - Profile
Luis Fabiano is one of Brazil’s best players. The superstar made his international debut against Nigeria in a friendly in 2003, marking his debut with a goal. He also won the 2004 Copa America with Brazil, even though he was omitted from his country’s side for 3 years following unimpressive performances in FC Porto and Sevilla.
In 2008, Fabiano scored a historic hat-trick against Portugal as Brazil beat the Europeans 6-2 in a friendly played at a newly-inaugurated stadium in Brasilia. He was added in the Brazilian squad that traveled all the way to South Africa for the 2009 Confederations Cup, and in that tournament, Fabiano scored 5 goals in 5 matches including a brace in the final against the United States, to get the Golden Shoe award.
ESPN awarded Mobile Rights for Premie League in UK
ESPN are delighted to announce that they have been awarded the exclusive mobile highlight rights to all 380 Barclays Premier League matches per season over the next 3 seasons. The rights will allow ESPN, also a Barclays Premier League television partner, to deliver in-match, post-match and customized highlights, including goals, to football fans in the UK.
Said Lynne Frank, senior vice president and managing director, ESPN – Europe, the Middle East and Africa...