Ideally, there should be no question about which league the winner should come from. Both the sides in the UEFA Champions League finale represented the Deutsche Fussball League of which one went on to become only the seventh side in history to win the coveted treble and the fourth side to win five European Cups.
Yet, football is dominated by media bias. The media loves La Liga. It is surprising to see the names of Xavi Hernandez and Andres Iniesta to pop up in the 26-man shortlist despite the fact that both had only one trophy to show for their efforts in the season. Both were also part of a historic mauling at the hands of Bayern München, 0-7 on aggregate in the semifinals of the UEFA Champions League.
In 2011-12, the Bayern players finished second in three competitions and beat out tough competition on the way. Yet, only one player found himself on the 26 man shortlist, a certain Manuel Neuer. Neuer was again on the shortlist this year but did not make the top ten. Cristiano Ronaldo, despite not winning a single award this season with his club, has found himself in the list as has Lionel Messi.
The argument that can be made here is that both had good seasons individually unlike the likes of Thomas Müller, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Arjen Robben, Franck Ribery (all Bayern) and Robert Lewandowski (Dortmund) who had good seasons collectively. Robben will of course be remembered for his winning goal in the UEFA Champions League final. Yet, he hardly featured for Bayern until April when a season ending injury to Toni Kroos saw the Dutchman crawl himself back into the lineup and eventually provide masterful displays against Juventus, Barca and Dortmund. Ironically, Kroos was left out of the 26-man shortlist in favor of the likes of Iniesta whereas he contributed much more.
Franck Ribery had his best ever season in a Bayern shirt but did no break any records. The same can be said of Bastian Schweinsteiger and young Thomas Müller. Müller would be worthy of the award due to his consistency all season. Also, journalists like the idea of an unconventional ‘space reader’. Schweinsteiger has quietly dominated. In fact, the biggest argument can be made for him.
The best team in all of Europe and perhaps the world failed to shine whenever Schweinsteiger was not on the pitch. The clogs in Bayern’s machine showed only when the German international was absent. His absence, more than his presence, showed exactly why he should be handed the award. He is the heart and soul of Bayern München.
Ribery’s goals and assists could be enough to garner him the award. Consistently being able to hold down a place in the best team in Europe is an honor in itself. Robben of course could be put down as the major reason behind Bayern’s Champions League triumph. That alone could be enough to win the award.
The likes of Gareth Bale, Robin Van Persie and Zlatan Ibrahimovic have also been nominated but in truth, their chances pale in comparison to the Bayern players. Nonetheless, these three players are highly popular in the media and could beat out the Bayern counterparts due to journalistic bias.
Robert Lewandowski will forever be associated with Dortmund’s magical run to the final. His four goals against Real Madrid and his tally of domestic goals which saw him miss out on the top scorer award only on the final day in the Bundesliga could be enough to give him the award.
A Bayern player, on the evidence of trophies and performances, should arguably be crowned. However, journalists are biased towards Ronaldo and Messi. They stand in the way of the crowning of great players from one of history’s greatest ever teams. The fact that Philipp Lahm missed ount on the ten man shortlist shows journalists' bias once again. Messi and Ronaldo’s performances were not enough to take either of their teams to the Champions League final. Yet, this trophy is meant to be awarded to the best individual, not the individual who has won the most this season.
Here is the shortlist in full:
Gareth Bale (Wales) - Tottenham Hotspur FC
Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal) - Real Madrid CF
Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Sweden) - Paris Saint-Germain FC
Robert Lewandowski (Poland) - Borussia Dortmund
Lionel Messi (Argentina) - FC Barcelona
Thomas Müller (Germany) - FC Bayern München
Franck Ribery (France) - FC Bayern München
Arjen Robben (Netherlands) - FC Bayern München
Bastian Schweinsteiger (Germany) - FC Bayern München
Robin Van Persie (Netherlands) - Manchester United FC
Who do you think will win the award? Let us know your thoughts!
