France Football 'Gold Ball' 2010

[Steve 10,227]

I can't believe I didn't think of this earlier but why the hell is the World's best left-back not there? SURELY Ashley Cole deserves to be short listed at least?

This article shares my views

That as well!

[LDN Blue 7,903]

I'm totaly agree with you... But : He is english

With what happened to the world cup, and with the fact that nowadays, most of the people (at least in France) hate the British football, it was just impossible for him... But it's a shame.

Yeah I know. But it's even more disgusting to see Dani Alvez there rather than Cole

[LDN Blue 7,903]

Carlo Ancelotti on Ashley Cole's Ballon d'Or snub

"Every year it's difficult for a defender to be on that list because usually the list involves midfielders or strikers

"In his career, Maldini deserved to win this award, the only reason he did not win was because he was a defender.

"Ashley and Paolo are different players. But they are the same as professionals, personalities and character.

"If it he wins it one day it's better, but he doesn't need to have this motivation ­because Ashley is motivated."

Aged 29, Cole's runs up and down ­Chelsea's left flank could be about catch up with the England defender.

Cole said recently: "I'm 29 but I feel like 35 or 40. It's hard getting up in the mornings but I hope to have another four years."

Ancelotti reckons Cole's athletics ­runner's lung capacity will keep him at the top for a long while yet.

The Italian said: "He is a light man, he weighs 65 kilos. He can run not just for 90 minutes but more. So much ­endurance, just like Sebastian Coe."

Headlines over his private life have not won Cole many friends but Ancelotti – whose side face Blackburn today – ­reckons his unpopularity drives him on.

"I think he didn't live so well for some periods but he was able to move on from that and was able to maintain control of himself," said Ancelotti.

"I don't know if he's unpopular but I think everyone that knows football appreciates him.

"He never shouts against the referee, never made a bad tackle against an opponent, he always respects the opponents.

"He was an Arsenal player so maybe some Arsenal fans still have a problem with him. Does he thrive on the unpopularity? Maybe. He is a man with a strong character."

[DYC. 7,542]

French football magazine France Football has announced the names of the final three players who are in the running to win the FIFA Ballon D'Or for their performances in 2010.

It was revealed in a press conference that Barcelona trio Xavi, Andres Iniesta and Lionel Messi are the three players who are still in the race to lift the trophy during a ceremony in Zurich on January 10.

Furthermore, Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola, former Inter gaffer Jose Mourinho and Spain chief Vicente del Bosque are the three coaches who are in the running for the Coach of the Year Award.

Before you react, remember this award is based on 2010. So only the second half of the 2009/2010 season + the first half of the 2010/2011 counts.

If Diego Forlan wasn't in such poor form this season, i would have said he deserves to be in the final three. And if it wasn't for Real Madrid not winning a thing, Ronaldo could've made the cut too. But i can't say one of those three players (absolutely) doesn't deserve to be in the final three.

Pep Guardiola doesn't deserve to up there. Louis van Gaal should've been in the final three since his team won the double and made Champions League Final.

[Madmax 9,219]

All these awards are a farce. Well, in most cases anyway.

[kwylino 329]

These Awards Award the crappier More popular player

Nowadays they Are A farce Just to raise players profiles And earn the magazines more credibility among the ones who still think rooney has been man uniteds best player This season

You know Them sort of fans

In the end it will work out better With none of our players get these awards They earn the real Award But since Marketing is so large there is no Real Award nowadays Among These so called player of the year Awards

Chelseas own And the chelsea forums like ours own chelsea player of the year Awards have much more credibility and Truth to it than the nowadays ballon dor Or any of those fifa Awards

I know i keep saying the above too many times but imho its the truth imho

[Mário César 1,053]

Xavi, Iniesta, Messi? LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOL

[Madmax 9,219]

They might as well just come out and say that Barca are their adopted sons and the award will stay in the family. Ffs atleast make it more subtle.

[LDN Blue 7,903]

They might as well just come out and say that Barca are their adopted sons and the award will stay in the family. Ffs atleast make it more subtle.

Lol I don't know why you're angry about this.. Messi was/is the best player of 2010. Xavi is 2nd. Perhaps some could argue Iniesta didn't have the best season he's ever had, but then again, he did score the World Cup winner.

[Madmax 9,219]

Lol I don't know why you're angry about this.. Messi was/is the best player of 2010. Xavi is 2nd. Perhaps some could argue Iniesta didn't have the best season he's ever had, but then again, he did score the World Cup winner.

Nah mate, not angry lol, got better things to occupy me. Just intrigued with the blatant Barca bias. I mean sure Xavi is a great player, but Ronaldo should be second, shouldn't he? And is scoring the world cup winner by itself solely enough to get the Ballon d'Or?

[Peace. 4,352]

Lol I don't know why you're angry about this.. Messi was/is the best player of 2010. Xavi is 2nd. Perhaps some could argue Iniesta didn't have the best season he's ever had, but then again, he did score the World Cup winner.

Xaxi must have the Ballon d'Or. Not Messi. Messi is nothing without Xavi... When a team wins against Barcelona (or gets a draw), it is not because they 'own' Messi, but because they 'own' Xavi.

[LDN Blue 7,903]

Xaxi must have the Ballon d'Or. Not Messi. Messi is nothing without Xavi... When a team wins against Barcelona (or gets a draw), it is not because they 'own' Messi, but because they 'own' Xavi.

There's a reason they call Xavi underrated by pundits

[eldo 868]

Messi.

It is a shame Villa is in the FIFPro World XI instead of Drogba.

[LDN Blue 7,903]

Messi.

It is a shame Villa is in the FIFPro World XI instead of Drogba.

This whole thing was a sham.

Still bemused by how Wesley Sneijder didn't make the last 3.. I guess the right man won it.

[eldo 868]

This whole thing was a sham.

Still bemused by how Wesley Sneijder didn't make the last 3.. I guess the right man won it.

Messi absolutly deserved it.

But that XI is a complete shame, there are players who deserve to be in there too. But i guess you can't put more than 11 players in World XI.

[BlueLion. 21,491]

Pique?!

[Madmax 9,219]

Pique?!

He deserves it.

But Cole and Drogba should be there imo. Villa and Puyol are there for being the WC top scorer and WC winning captain respectively. And ofc, for being Barcelona guys.

[LDN Blue 7,903]

Pique?!

He had a great season - A terrific defender, who can be a make-shift striker (his goal vs Inter). I'm sure United are kicking themselves for letting him go