The Official Balon d'Or 2014 Thread

[BarcaLearning]

I think this year Ballon D'or is more open in general since there has really been one team that dominated, club or country. Add to that Messi's drop in his level slightly, together with new younger players rising, meaning more players to be in with a chance, if not for the top prize, the bronze or the top 5, 10, etc., since that should be the top performer Ronaldo as much as I hate to see, but he deserves it.

Anyway, it was also a WC year, there were a lot of top performers but weight must go to the winner and teams that went far of cos, these players would for me include Muller, Gotze, Kros, Lahm, Messi, Di Maria, Robben, Neymar.

From club, there are also many, like Ronaldo, Bale, Aguero, Costa, etc.

Overall I think its much more than just Messi and Ronaldo nowadays. And though Im sad to see Messi dip this 'early' considering his age, one cant deny or do anything about it, its good to see so many younger players coming up. Ive been delighted about Neymar as his been amazing for Barca I think and sometimes even out shinning Messi. Bale has also been like that for Real.

There must some players that i've missed, and wondering what everyone thinks about the top performers this year and what will the top 3 or 5 or 10 be like for the Ballon D'or votes?

[harhar11]

I think this year Ballon D'or is more open in general since there has really been one team that dominated, club or country. Add to that Messi's drop in his level slightly, together with new younger players rising, meaning more players to be in with a chance, if not for the top prize, the bronze or the top 5, 10, etc., since that should be the top performer Ronaldo as much as I hate to see, but he deserves it.

Anyway, it was also a WC year, there were a lot of top performers but weight must go to the winner and teams that went far of cos, these players would for me include Muller, Gotze, Kros, Lahm, Messi, Di Maria, Robben, Neymar.

From club, there are also many, like Ronaldo, Bale, Aguero, Costa, etc.

Overall I think its much more than just Messi and Ronaldo nowadays. And though Im sad to see Messi dip this 'early' considering his age, one cant deny or do anything about it, its good to see so many younger players coming up. Ive been delighted about Neymar as his been amazing for Barca I think and sometimes even out shinning Messi. Bale has also been like that for Real.

There must some players that i've missed, and wondering what everyone thinks about the top performers this year and what will the top 3 or 5 or 10 be like for the Ballon D'or votes?

I would put him in the club category instead of the WC, as he quite an underwhelming tournament.

And was Götze all that in the WC? I seem to remember that he was used more as a sub, no?

[Bankz]

Putting the WC performances and current form into consideration. Top 5 in no particular order. Ronaldo (la decima, spanish cup, top form, top scorer last season), messi (for obvious reasons, world cup run, second top scorer last season, top form behind cr7), neymar (in blistering form just behind freaks cr7 & messi, great world cup influence, a record 15 international goals in 13 games in a calender year and counting), suarez (third best player last season), robben (great world cup, bundesliga title, and just a feeling he'll be there. lol). Bottom 5. Ibra (no world cup appearance and injuries otherwise, ligue 1, fourth best player last season), costa (spanish league, fantastic last season, in blistering form currently), neuer (world cup winner, best keeper), di maria (la decima), bale (well, was instrumental in la decima and spanish cup)..my top 3 however would be 1.cr7 2.messi 3. Neymar if things remain as they are..it's just my own opinion and can be debated reasonably.

[halamadrid2]

It's clearly going to go to Ronaldo but my top 10 would be:

Ronaldo
Robben
Messi
DiMaria
Muller
Neuer
Costa
Ibra
Suarez
Modric

[Casciavit]

Honestly, I don't think it will be that close. Last year was close, this year CR seems like the front runner.

Top 3 will be CR, Messi and Robben.

I think CR will win, but he was crap in the WC. However, in 2010 it didn't seem like the WC mattered that much, so I'm not sure if the same will apply this year.

[Valkyrja]

Ronaldo and Messi will be the first 2. That's clear and will stay that way for a few more years. The 3rd, like always a random player who had a great year.

[Zealous]

A bit cheeky but I think Neuer will get into the top three ahead of Robben/Messi.

This is CR's award though unless something ridiculous happens.

[BarrileteCosmico]

Would give it to Neuer since it's a WC year and he was their best player, but it's probably going to go to Ronaldo.

Ideally:

1. Neuer
2. Ronaldo
3. Costa

[Bankz]

Lol at people believing neuer would make the top 3. It's 2012 all over again as with casillas..1.ronaldo 2.messi 3. Suarez/neymar/costa for me. If everything stays thesame, but if one of neymar/messi/costa gets into some kind of freak form then expect a surprise. U heard it here first.

[Valkyrja]

Neuer ? He wasn't even the best GK in the WC and flopped against us in the CL. Can't compare with Iker's Euro and his overall performances in the 11-12 season. Courtois was by far the best GK last season.

[Kaladin]

Ignazio Abate.

[Valkyrja]

1. Ignazio
2. Abate
3. Ronaldo

[Zealous]

Would give it to Neuer since it's a WC year and he was their best player, but it's probably going to go to Ronaldo.

Ideally:

1. Neuer
2. Ronaldo
3. Costa

lmao in what universe is that "ideal"

[Donuts]

Would give it to Neuer since it's a WC year and he was their best player, but it's probably going to go to Ronaldo.

Ideally:

1. Neuer
2. Ronaldo
3. Costa

lmao in what universe is that "ideal"

well it's slightly ideal because in terms of trophies
world cup > champions league > league > league cup
neuer won the world cup AND league
Ronaldo won the champions league an copa del rey
Costa won the league and was runner up in champions league

but this isn't only about trophies its combined with performances + popularity contest
1) ronaldo has all three
2) a german has 2/3 of those
3) messi has performance + popularity

[Bankz]

Would give it to Neuer since it's a WC year and he was their best player, but it's probably going to go to Ronaldo.

Ideally:

1. Neuer
2. Ronaldo
3. Costa

lmao in what universe is that "ideal"

lol. This

[Valkyrja]

Would give it to Neuer since it's a WC year and he was their best player, but it's probably going to go to Ronaldo.

Ideally:

1. Neuer
2. Ronaldo
3. Costa

lmao in what universe is that "ideal"

He's Argentinian and knows Messi doesn't deserve it this year. Hence, Ronaldo shouldn't win it.

[Zealous]

Was Neuer Germany's best player though? Why does he deserve to be singled out? If Ronaldo was born in Berlin he would have won the world cup too, or are you saying that Herr Manuel could have won it playing with Eder and co?

Either way Ronaldo is heads and shoulders above anyone else right now, it's his award unless something drastic happens.

[Donuts]

Was Neuer Germany's best player though? Why does he deserve to be singled out? If Ronaldo was born in Berlin he would have won the world cup too, or are you saying that Herr Manuel could have won it playing with Eder and co?

Either way Ronaldo is heads and shoulders above anyone else right now, it's his award unless something drastic happens.

He was one of the most popular names in the world cup though and also won the golden gloves + a likable person
the ballon d'or lately has been a mix of just flavor of the month + performances + trophies + likability
Neuer fits the bill majority of the time
but i think we all agree ronaldo will probably win it, unless messi scores 8 goals in one game shortly before the voting.

[Zealous]

There's no "probably" here, Ronaldo is winning this.

[BarrileteCosmico]

I'd say Neuer was Germany's best player, it's pretty obvious in my opinion. He pulled in great match after another and especially against Algeria he prevented them from an early exit. Of the outfield players none of them distinguished themselves from the rest, other than Oezil who was noticeably the worst outfield player in almost every match.

Anyways, it's not going to happen as he's a GK. But if it were my award to give I would give it to him.

(Note that I said the same thing after Messi received the WC golden ball, so this is not a "har har this way Ronaldo doesn't get it" thing).

[Valkyrja]

I'd say Neuer was Germany's best player, it's pretty obvious in my opinion. He pulled in great match after another and especially against Algeria he prevented them from an early exit. Of the outfield players none of them distinguished themselves from the rest, other than Oezil who was noticeably the worst outfield player in almost every match.

Anyways, it's not going to happen as he's a GK. But if it were my award to give I would give it to him.

(Note that I said the same thing after Messi received the WC golden ball, so this is not a "har har this way Ronaldo doesn't get it" thing).

He should have got a red in the final though.

[terrance511]

highly likely will go like this

ronaldo
messi
robben

but my personal pick
ronaldo
neuer
dimaria

[rwo power]

He should have got a red in the final though.

Nope.

[farfan]

why is this even a debate ? might as well give ronaldo the award right now .

but just like last year with ribery , i'm looking forward to seeing messi fans / ronaldo haters rallying behind somebody else to win it

[lszanto]

why is this even a debate ? might as well give ronaldo the award right now .

but just like last year with ribery , i'm looking forward to seeing messi fans / ronaldo haters rallying behind somebody else to win it

WC year, usually influences the result. Ronaldo was beyond awful at the world cup and it could easily cost him the award.

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