Shortlist released and unfortunately Paul cant predict this one he [assed in an event he probably didn't see coming.

http://www.cnn.com/2010/SPORT/10/26/germany.paul.octopus.death/?hpt=T2

1. Xabi Alonso (Spain)
2. Daniel Alves (Brazil)
3. Iker Casillas (Spain)
4. Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal)
5. Didier Drogba (Côte d’Ivoire)
6. Samuel Eto’o (Cameroon)
7. Cesc Fabregas (Spain)
8. Diego Forlán (Uruguay)
9. Asamoah Gyan (Ghana)
10. Andrés Iniesta (Spain)
11. Júlio César (Brazil)
12. Miroslav Klose (Germany)
13. Philipp Lahm (Germany)
14. Maicon (Brazil)
17. Lionel Messi (Argentina)
18. Thomas Müller (Germany)
19. Mesut Özil (Germany)
20. Carles Puyol (Spain)
21. Arjen Robben (Netherlands)
22. Bastian Schweinsteiger (Germany)
23. Wesley Sneijder (Netherlands)
24. David Villa (Spain)
25. Xavi (Spain)


http://www.fifa.com/classicfootball/releases/newsid=1323915.html

Asamoah Gyan?

Asamoah Gyan?

People that do huge inpacts internationally apparently is highly rewarded by FIFA. Edin Dzeko ended up in 13th place not only for his success in Wolfsburg but also for the national team. Eto'o should be ranked higher, he'll be pumping in goals this season.

Asamoah Gyan?

...and Eto'o also, both ahead of Wayne Rooney and Diego Milito. It really isn't surprising to me that Gyan is there, the last FIFA Player of the Year awards during a World Cup year had Zidane in the top three and he really hadn't done anything until the knockout stages of the World Cup...

It has angered me that France Football and FIFA merged this award, I actually preferred to ignore the FIFA WPOY and pay attention to the Ballon d'Or.

Eto'o should be ranked higher, he'll be pumping in goals this season.

It's not a ranking yet, it's only the nominations in no specific order. The list does seem to be based very much on the World Cup. I mean Miroslav Klose is rarely in Bayern's first team. He's only on the list because he did well at the World Cup.

Oh and yay for Wes and Robben getting nominated.

It's not a ranking yet, it's only the nominations in no specific order.they're listed in alphabetical order ...

and before anyone asks: Ronaldo is Ronaldo, and always will be; Cristiano Ronaldo can be found filed under Cristiano ...



It really isn't surprising to me that Gyan is there, the last FIFA Player of the Year awards during a World Cup year had Zidane in the top three and he really hadn't done anything until the knockout stages of the World Cup...The list does seem to be based very much on the World Cup. I mean Miroslav Klose is rarely in Bayern's first team. He's only on the list because he did well at the World Cup.yeah, awards during World Cup years are always "sullied" by what transpires during those 4 festival weeks in June/July ... which begs the question: what is the World Cup Golden Ball for, if not to recognize the tournament's MVP? the annual award should always reflect the entire season, and not weight the World Cup so heavily ...

this year it is understandable that Forlán has a shot at all awards: semis with Uruguay, and the Europa League win with Atleti ... but 2006 was just crazy: Cannavaro came runner-up to Zizou for the WC Golden Ball, but then won Balon d'Or and the FIFA PotY despite doing nothing for Juve or Real ... Zidane winning the WC Golden Ball was itself debatable, but him finishing 2nd for the FIFA PotY was just silly (considering he did nothing with Real the previous season, and didn't play from July through to December coz he'd retired) ... conversely, Ronaldinho got totally shafted that year: in the wake of the disappointing World Cup, everyone had somehow forgotten about how he'd led Barça to Champions League glory; he didn't even make the top 3 for the Balon d'Or ... 'twas a travesty ...




Oh and yay for Wes and Robben getting nominated.Wes should win it ...

Wes should win it ...

Maybe. Xavi's the other guy with a legitimate claim.

Robben, Sniejder or Fabregas im happy !!

If its based on World cup performances then sneijder or Forlan should win it.

Sneijder wasn't really that great in the World Cup to be totally honest. If he wins it's because of his performances for Inter and because the Dutch advanced far.

Zonal Marking guy and me got in a mini twitter fight over this. He said his top 4 was 1) Xavi, 2) Messi, 3) Schweinsteiger, 4) Sneijder

I told him Robben should be over Schweinsteiger. He disagreed based largely on the World Cup. Of course, Schweinsteiger's the only good player on Bayern right now too. Then again, Robben's goals were the only reason Bayern did so well last year. Without him we would have been out in the CL in the first knockout (or earlier), the German Cup against Schalke (or earlier), and would not have won the Bundesliga.

Maybe. Xavi's the other guy with a legitimate claim.

I hate to say it, but what about Iniesta? :)

I hate to say it, but what about Iniesta? :)

This is sort of ironic because I have Robben in my top 4 or 5, but Iniesta was injured too much this year for serious consideration. He did cross my mind though.

Forlan definitely deserves the shout. He was in great form for club and country during last season(including the WC)

Forlan definitely deserves the shout. He was in great form for club and country during last season(including the WC)

yup,he deserve it

My tip is messi. Wait...............that sounded wrong

That's one lousy alphabetical order.





Sneider definitely ftw.

That's one lousy alphabetical order.


whats wrong with it?

Messi or CR7 deserve 1 or 2 for showing this year (in clubs) they are best players in the planet, but Sneijder will win it for his overall performances this year.