Will CR7 Win the Ballon d’Or?

By: Rob | October 16th, 2008

The shortlists are being sent out, and voting is begining on one of the most prestigous titles in world football – The Ballon d’Or. With his huge goal tally – from the Wing lest we forget – and the fact that United picked up both the EPL and Champions League trophies this season, Ronaldo is the presumed favourite. In fact, on the eve of Euro 2008, really he just seemed the heir apparent.

Is it going to be as easy as all that though? Well this post will feature a little insight into how they work, who votes for them, and if Ronaldo is going to be crowned, The Man.

It is voted for by journalists, who are picked by host magazine France Football. Each country has a couple of voters representing them. They get a shortlist of 50 players, this will include anyone who’s been any good over the previous year, so Ronaldo will be on there, Leo Messi will feature, David Villa will be, and so to will Andrei Arshavin.

It used to be – pre 1995 – that a player had to be European to feauture, but France Football, who present the awards, changed the rules so that anyone who played in Europe could feature. Last season, the goalposts were moved again, so that Europeans outside of Europe could recieve the award (theoretically, Beckham could then win the Golden Ball, but it won’t happen to the dissapointment of headline writers everywhere)

On this shortlist, each Journo picks the five players from best to worst, that he thinks have been the best, judged on the below criteria, five points for the number one, four for number two, and one for number 5.

Here are the criteria, that the players are meant to be judged on:

i) Combination of individual and collective performances throughout the year
ii) Talent and Sportsmanship
iii)Carrer
iv) Personality and impact

So, will C-Ron win it? Well, if you take his individual and collective performances thru the year, he links up well with the United team, while being the lynchpin. No-one can doubt the impact he has on that side. But, Sportsmanship? That might let him down. He’s well known as a bit of a diver. Personality seems to divide people as well. And carrer – well its kicked off over the last couple of years.

There’s also the small fact that he didn’t do it for Portugal when everyone was watching in Euro 2008. The Euros and World Cups, traditionally have a big effect on these awards. As do, the Champions League. Last year there was a suspision that Kaka’ only won it because he was the best player in the Champions League. Ronaldo was crowned best player of last season’s Champions League campaign.

I think he is favourite, but its far from a cake walk. Fernando Torres is the other EPL player who might make the cut – a fantastic year at Liverpool, followed by a Euro 2008 win. David Villa was great in the tournament itself, but has a disasterous year at Valencia, and Spain might suffer as there was trouble picking out thier star man at the Euros.

Leo Messi is the other player who could pick up points as his personality is percieved as being better than C-Rons. Although he is prone to moments of unsportsmanlike conduct himself.

So Ronaldo. He’s probably been, on balance, the best footballer in the world this year. But will he take the prize to prove it? Time will tell.