Ronaldo vs. Messi vs. Iniesta – and the winner will be?
Yes, it’s that time of year when the UEFA European Footballer of the Year award is handed out. On Thursday, either Leo Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo or Andres Iniesta will be crowned as the best player on the continent over the last season. The voting will be done live at the Grimaldi Center in Monaco by journalists representing UEFA’s 53 member states and yours truly will be on stage presenting the awards ceremony.
It will be the seventh time that I will have the privilege to host UEFA’s annual awards gala and Champions League draw in Monaco. Over the last few years I have seen a lot of drama on stage and I predict a few more "oohs" and "ahs" on Thursday evening when the groups are drawn for the tournament's lucrative first stage and when the winner of the top prize is announced.
It would be fair to say that Messi is the favorite to win the award, which has replaced the old Ballon D’Or, but I think, this time around it will be Ronaldo coming out on top. In my mind, this accolade is like the Most Valuable Player award in the NBA, for example, and he was the MVP at Real Madrid - the Spanish champions - last season.
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Okay, I know what you are thinking – Messi’s goal total for Barcelona last season, a record 73 in 60 matches, was simply unbelievable. I agree. I also believe the three-time world player of the year is still the best and most exciting footballer on the planet.
However, this award should go to the player who excels individually while helping his team win important trophies, and Ronaldo won the Spanish league in 2012 while the Argentine star only picked up the Copa del Rey.
Before talking about CR7, let me address Iniesta’s chances of winning the award. I don’t think they’re great. If he had scored the winning goal in the Euro 2012 final, like he did at the 2010 World Cup then he would probably be the favorite.
However, even though he was instrumental in Spain’s European Championship victory, the Barcelona midfielder did not have the kind of impact, individually, that either Messi or Ronaldo did on their respective teams.
So finally to Cristiano. I know for a fact, because I have talked to him about it various times, that the Portugal international believes he deserves to be rewarded for his exploits last season. He scored 60 goals in 55 games for Real Madrid and also led Portugal to the semifinals of Euro 2012. He scored goals of all shapes and sizes and was a leader on and off the pitch for club and country.
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Furthermore, while Messi had the whole Barcelona team playing for him, Ronaldo shared the ball and the goals with the likes of Mesut Ozil, Angel Di Maria, Karim Benzema and Gonzalo Higuain. Last season at Barcelona, no other player scored more than 15 goals, while at Real both Benzema and Higuain netted more than 25.
So there you have it. Those are my thoughts regarding who should be voted the best player in Europe for the last year. It will be close and there is no doubt that whoever wins deserves it, but this year, Ronaldo should take home the top prize. What do you think? Have your say in the comments box below.
Completely Agree!
Just because Real Madrid won La Liga doesn’t mean Ronaldo has to win this award. It is an award for the best player, not the best player for the team that wins La Liga. Drogba and Casillas both won more important trophies than Ronaldo so should be ahead of him based on your rationale. Quite simply, it is an award for the best individual player and the best individual player was Messi.
Real Madrid are set up to get the most out of Ronaldo just as Barcelona are set up to get the best out of Messi. Messi contributed more assists than anyone else in the Barcelona team (and more than Ronaldo) alongside scoring the most goals. It is not his fault that his team mates didn’t contribute as many goals as Ronaldo’s.
Ronaldo is the second best player in the world. It’s just sad for him that second place is so far behind Messi.
cristiano ronaldo deserves it because he gave important trophy to his club and moreover portugal was unlucky in euro against spain. spain is a full star studded team while portugal has only ronaldo . even ozil , di maria , benzene and higuain are not at the level of xavi and iniesta . real madrid is totally dependent on ronaldo .
Pedro , i disagree with your analysis. Last year Messi won world club championship , eurosuper cup, spanish super cup . Ronaldo won only the spanish la liga.
So please come again. Messi is my favorite to win.
Dear Pedro,
Perhaps matters of nationality influence people too many times in providing professional judgements on the matters of football. I know the season has just begun, but if the Madrid and Barca are to continue the way they have started, you will be wrong in your predictions on how this season will turn out.
Should Ronaldo get he award? Maybe. He would definitely have plenty show for it I agree with you. But I do not think your suggestions of Messi deserving it less are just. He has scored more goals than any human ever in a single season; he has scored the most goals in a Champions League campaign while also becoming the first player to score 5 in a single game. Even though Argentina did not feature with major achievements last year compared to Portugal, Messi finally exerted major impact for his country as well.
What is fair to say and the way to finish off the piece on something like this is what you have already said but keep forgetting due to your national bias toward CR7:
Who ever wins it – CR7 or Messi – completely deserves it!
Of course Pedro, you are portugese ans so is Ronaldo. So of course you will want him to win
well dont forget that Barca also won the Club World Cup & UEFA Super Cup. I think Messi should win this.
CR777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777
again sir Pinto, you predict ronaldo winning just because he is your countryman. its pitty you pick R over messi mere bais favor.
sorry Dr pinto Messi will be crowned again and again 'caus he's not only an amazing player but the best player we've seen for quarter century....
#
How can you say Barca was playing for Messi? so you mean to tell me that just because a team completely relies on their only fit foward they play for him? NO! Messi scored so many goals because Barca needed someone to score for them, they heavily relied on him... Messi carried Barca to FOUR trophies, Champions league Semi final and Second in the league basically single handedly! And might i add that two of those cups barca had to beat madrid to claim! The reason Madrid won the league was not solely due to Ronaldo, there was Benzema and Higuain! Thus Ronaldo could share the load!
An equal comparison is Aguero and Van Persie... Who had the better individual season? Van Persie obviously... why? Because he took arsenal by himself, they didnt win the league unlike Man city, even though aguero was apart of the attack and recorded a large amount of goals!
Please tell me what the difference between the two is? nothing! Hence if Van persie was better than aguero last season then Messi should also be superior to Ronaldo for last season. SIMPLE!
Messi, the best football player the world has ever seen for such a quarter century now...there shall be no one football player to challenge him in our times...he is a true football genius..now that football gotta king and is MESSI..
i simple say Ronald deserve it this time,because he scored goals in the big games last season,and his efforts in the last european cup leading portugal to semi final is significant.instead of including including iniesta,casillas should be the one,because he captaINED two teams and trophies.
I completely agree with BW!
This award is to the BEST INDIVIDUAL player, not to what players helps his team win La Liga. Messi scored more goals (while taken way less shots) and distributed more assists than Ronaldo.
Plus it is not Messi's fault that his teammates dont score as many goals as Higuain and Benzema! He's job is just to get them the ball
The winner IS Iniesta!!! The guy is a genius, a great mastermind. He has and continues to win trophies, after trophies, after trophies.He has racked up countless trophies and medals, la Liga titles, Super Cups, Champions leagues medals, World Club trophies, WORLD CUP, EUROPEAN CUPS, and etc.....
He should no doubt be handed the prestigious award this time around, because with him, Messi has won, without him , Messi has wom NOTHING!
So whenyou asked me, who should be the winner? my answer is the Spanish wizard, Andre Iniesta.
Pedro Pinto once more shows that he's not fit to be a dependable sports writer because his opinions are always biased when it comes to matters involving Cristiano Ronaldo vs Lionel Mess. He has a way of finding the most insignificant reason to justify giving any award that comes up in Football to CR7 disregarding the qualities and merits of other contestants just because CR7 is from his home country, Portugal. As long as CR7 is Portuguese Pedro Pinto will continue to write in his favor and I have great doubts he would support CR7 if he were from another country. Pedro Pinto lacks impartiality and is obsessed with elevating CR7 to a level he does not belong to. He's just as Pele, who will never accept that the best player in the world is not from Brazil and still promotes himself as the best player in history, which he is not. In fact he was not even the best player that Brazil ever produced as that was Garrincha. Same with Portugal, CR7 is not even the best player that ever played for Portugal, that one was Eusebio. Maradona is well above all of those and Messi is the best player the fooball world has ever produced and he will again take the awards this year. If not, I say that Iniesta is the one who deserves to take them instead of Messi. Finally, please, Pedro Pinto, stop the BS and start talking real fooball. We're not idiots here and we can see where your loyalties lie. The Portuguese play good football, yes, but, sorry to say it, they're not even second best!
i think ronaldo should win because he won the liga with real madrid and he has played at a higher level than messi or iniesta especially in the classicos he has shown up scoring in the past 4 games i also think he should win it because all he does most of messi's goals are assists from danny alves or iniesta or xavi but ronaldo scores without so many assists as messi and ronaldo's goals are all better than messi's considering all of ronaldo's goals are scored with such style that no one can compare to this is why i think ronaldo should win this award
Cristiano Ronaldo. Without a doubt. What a player. What a season.
It's not even a contest
Dearest Pedro,
You are Portuguese, so you are obviously favoring CR/. That would be fine, if you were not a journalist and a highly regarded member of the press, I have watched most of your interviews and ward shows trough out the years, and you always plug CR7. I happen to like him and I am a RM fan, but your comments to say that he is a leader are far from reality, or maybe you have not seen the way CR7 behaves with his team mates, he does not celebrates their goals, and all of the antics on and off the pitch. I will be in Zurich for the ceremony awards, I will probably see you thus we can chat a bit. Best wishes to you. John Gray
im not surpriesd about pedro.s prediction every body has d right to defend his or her compatriot,but mr pedro your sense of patrotism is beclouding your sense of judgement.
sorry but i totally disagree with you because as you said ronaldo scored 60 in 55 games and messi 73 in 60 games and you said that all barcelona players played for messi to score only right ? that is absolutely wrong because messi wan't standing and waiting for them to just give him the ball so he can score , in fact he was working very hard to make something happen and score also look at the penalties which both players took that added as well so ronaldo was given more penalty shots to add. also mess had alot more assists than ronaldo . i guess you forgot he is the champions league top scorer as well and 5 goal in one game.finally if messi wants to play like ronaldo the selfish way with ball possession he might ending doubling last year of 73 goals. also you forgot last year super cup, and the club world cup vs santos when he score double in 4-0 win. and now you are seeing what he has done so far .....
I think CR7 deserve to be the European best player of this edition cos he's got it all.
Ronaldo deserves it. He performed well last season, and Madrid won the League. What did Messi's 73 goal bring his team?(world club cup, super cup are ceremonial cups...they count for nothing) Most of the goals were scored in the league, yet they ended up behind Madrid. So how do those goals count now?
Why should he win it? I agree he is a talent, but if this award is to be given to the most talented player, then Diego Maradona should have won it yearly till he hung his boot.
Enough said, Ronaldo deserves this one!
I think iniesta should win.he is a ball magician
Debatable? No!
I think the proper argument's... 'Is the criteria for choosing the world's best player credible and reasonable?'.
However, Let's celebrate Messi, he's the greatest, highest and most ideal standard in football history! Period! Let bureaucracies and criteria aside, truth should always prevail.
THERE IS NO QUESTION ABOUT WHO SHOULD WIN IT,IT IS EITHER MESSI OR INIESTA. WHEN WE TALK ABOUT INDIVIDUAL PERFORMANCE, MESSI SHOULD WIN IT,BUT TALKING ABOUT ACHIEVEMENTS, INIESTA SHOULD BE THE ONE.STILL MESSI IS ABOVE ANY PLAYER IN THIS PLANET.RONALDO IS NO WHERE NEAR MESSI.
I think Ronaldo should Win the Award this time around. True fans of soccer should realize the impact he made on Real Madrid, breaking the hold of Barca in the La Liga and his success with his country at the Euro Cup. I hope the world fairness prevail and CR7 prevails
I agree that Ronaldo deserves the top, I don't like again Messi win, although I believe He is a great football player.
I dis agree it . I must say messi is still best player of the planet
BARCELONA WON THE FIFA CLUB WORLD CUP!!!! doesn't that make Leonel Messi the best player team in the world playing for the best team. Leonel Messi is the best player hands down....
Ronaldo should be winning the Ballon D'or and sorry Messi fans its not even close. Reasons – and most are statistics and not stupid remarks:-
1) Yes Messi scored 73 goals but Ronaldo scored 60 himself playing 4 matches less – and based on their scoing rate the difference would have been just 6-7 goals.
2) Ronaldo scored 23 away goals for Real – the most in the history of La Liga. Messi scored 35 scored at home and nly 15 away. Now you could say 35 is a great figure at home – and i agree – but if you really followed d league you would have seen in the earlier part of the season Messi was horrible away from home – if u dnt knw check d stats. – He didnt score n d first few away games and missing chance after chance. Basically his stats is : Home : 19 matches 35goals and Away : 19 matches 15 goals. Just wasn't great away from home because u need 2 realise tht barca plays 2 messi's strengths and if he comes short usually d team does also. Ronaldo stat : Home 19 matches 23 goals. Away : 19 matches – 23 goals. Identical whereever he played.
3) Please give me 5 matches last seson where Messi absolutely kept Barca in the title race or produced smethg extraordinary. Well its much easier to come up wid 5 for Ronaldo – Way he brutalized atletico at their own turf wid sme scorchers or d demolition of Osasuna, or d way he helped dem get through Valencia, Betis, Vallecano etc etc... Just so many.
4) Pretty important stat as far as i think – Ronaldo scored against all 19 opponents he faced in d league and all d teams he came across n d champions league. Messi didnt score against 2 teams in d league – which includes RM and also didnt score against chelsea – missed countless oppurtunities.
5) Coming to el classico – Do remember tht Messi hasn't been having any luck against RM recently – he failed to score d last 4-5 classicos – before converting a penalty n d recently concluded supercopa – but nthg from open play. Compared to ronaldo – who seems to be just starting to score against barca each and everytime they play – scored in 5 out of d last 6 el classico's.
6)Whatever u might think dnt care but d fact s Ronaldo still s a winger...he starts that way – plays dre most of d time and doesn't swap places wid d strikers as and wen he needs. Messi plays as a striker for barca and everythg dey do s run to end up at his feet. Now don't make stupid comments like saying ronaldo has higuain and benzema to support. Just rubbish... Higuain and Benzema aren't known for dre passing capability. Both r excellent finishers but dey haven't really helped ronaldo's play. Barca plays wid a 3 man forward line and any team wud have atleast single coverage on pedro and alexis all d time. Thus please dont say tht nly Messi s having t difficult.
7) Best thing tht has happened to messi is iniesta and Xavi – If u have watched Barca last season u shud have seen barca drop points wen one of dem wasn't fully fit – dey r as valuable to dem as messi due to dre style of play and how t plays into messi's hands. Ozil s great and so do Di Maria but none are Iniesta and Xavi – tht too nly increases ronaldo's value.
8) Dre r sites tht highlight advanced positioning stats and wre each player positions himself most of d time – assure u dse stats wont help messi's chances against ronaldo. Also check d goal distribution and u cud c how unique ronaldo's game s – he scored 5 or more goals from headers, freekicks, open play, long range, penalties – anythg and everythg. Messi missed quite a few penalities also last seson – few of dem n d league which cost dem matches early n d season – ronaldo missed only 1 penalty dude...yes it might have cost dem CL final chance – but kaka missed also – and if it wasnt for ronaldo's 2 goals earlier n d game RM wudnt have reached penalties all together.
9) D only real stat tht messi's fans can point to help messi s total shots which shows ronaldo taking way more. But if u look at d advanced stats that wud show ronaldo taking much less chances inside the D compared to Messi. Anyone who sees RM matches can see ronaldo simply taking 3-5 chances each game from 25+yards out. He has scored some absolute screamers also last season.
10) Euro 2012 – Ronaldo nly increased his value wid his showing for Portugal – he was already impressive for dem – scoring 6 out of 7 games during d last 2 yrs qualification phase and he showed his true class against czech and holland – He single handedly demolished holland – even dre full back van der wiel admitted he wudnt b able 2 defend ronaldo on tht form...!!!
Now those are my points. Ronaldo had a way better year than Messi – Its not even close. Ronaldo's off-d-game antics can b horrible (even smetimes on-d-game – sme wild celebrations) and anyne wud think he s a sick moron – but tht shudnt deflect d fact tht ronaldo like messi s an once n a generation kind of player – and we r lucky to have 2 running d show – So i wudnt b worried either of dem winning d Ballon D'or but WUD DEFINITELY FEEL ANGRY IF SMENE SAYS MESSI DESERVES T MORE SIMPLY BASED ON DRE LOVE FOR D MAN AND BASED ON NLY TOTAL GOALS/ASSITS....Tht just doesn't tell d whole picture.....!!!!!
Pedro!!!!
I forgot you are Portuguese!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I really don't give a hoot.
You say Messi only picked up the Copa del Rey? What about Spanish supercup, against Madrid? European supercup against Porto? Club world cup against Santos, being crowned MVP? You say all of Barcelona team playing for Messi however he had the most assists of his team, and far more than Ronaldo had. You also forget he was top scorer of the European Champions League. In my opinion Messi did more to deserve it this year than in 2010 where he played a mediocre world cup and he still won it.
The way I see it, there were 4 tournaments in which both Ronaldo and Messi competed. Messi took 2, Ronaldo 1, and they both were eliminated in the same stage of 1. Result: Messi 2 – 1 Ronaldo
Iniesta !!! Iniesta !!! Iniesta !!! Iniesta !!! Iniesta !!! Iniesta !!! Iniesta !!! Iniesta !!! Iniesta !!! Iniesta !!! Iniesta !!! Iniesta !!! Iniesta !!! Iniesta !!! Iniesta !!! Iniesta !!! Iniesta !!! Iniesta !!! Iniesta !!! Iniesta !!! Iniesta !!! Iniesta !!! Iniesta !!! Iniesta !!! Iniesta !!! Iniesta !!! Iniesta !!! Iniesta !!! Iniesta !!! Iniesta !!! Iniesta !!! Iniesta !!! Iniesta !!! Iniesta !!! Iniesta !!! Iniesta !!! Iniesta !!! Iniesta !!! Iniesta !!! Iniesta !!! Iniesta !!! Iniesta !!! Iniesta !!! Iniesta !!! Iniesta !!! Iniesta !!! Iniesta !!! Iniesta !!! Iniesta !!! Iniesta !!! Iniesta !!! Iniesta !!! Iniesta !!! Iniesta !!! Iniesta !!! Iniesta !!! Iniesta !!! Iniesta !!! Iniesta !!! Iniesta !!! Iniesta !!! Iniesta !!! Iniesta !!! Iniesta !!! Iniesta !!! Iniesta !!! Iniesta !!! Iniesta !!! Iniesta !!! Iniesta !!! Iniesta !!! Iniesta !!! Iniesta !!! Iniesta !!! Iniesta !!! Iniesta !!! Iniesta !!!
We should understand that this article is quantitative (GOALS) not QUALITATIVE.
Pedro U r missing it !!!
1. Messi also won the Supercopa de Espana and the FIFA Club World Cup.
2. Sorry Pedro you are Portuguese and always pick them ahead of everyone else.
3. Messi scored a lot but you have to remember about the injuries to Pedro and Alexis.
4. What about the refereeing decisions Real got last year to help them? It probably helps if the head of the Spanish Refereeing Association is a very high up member of a Franco anti Catalan party!!!!
5. Visca Leo Messi!!!!!!!!!
Funny how last year when Ronaldo had the better individual stats, Messi fans all stated that what matters is winning the league not goals, now that its reversed, the conditions for winning best player award have also changed. make up your minds, its one or the other.
"Furthermore, while Messi had the whole Barcelona team playing for him, Ronaldo shared the ball....."
Ummm, then why did Messi end up having more league assists and far more assists in all competitions than Ronaldo last season? You're entitled to your opinion, but it should at least be backed up with facts.
I think that Messi deserves the winning Trophy. He still the best player with the best records. If the Real Madrid win La Liga was because they also have Higuaín, Bencema, DiMaria, Ozil and a great coach.
Messi...and you know this MMAANN.
Good thing these are just your thoughts so you can be as biased about it as you want, supporting your countryman. But Mr Pedro, you are already contradicting yourself.
We all know, the majority knows, who the best player in the world is and you AGREED to that, it's Messi. Now remind me again, isn't Ballon D’Or for the best footballer? Now calling Messi the best footballer and still denying him the Ballon D'or? How foolish must one get... Playing the devil's advocate are we...
this piece represents EVERYTHING that is wrong with the western media.
i understand that this is an opinion piece and objectivity is not paramount but where is the logic to the argument that CR7 deserves (really??!!!) the award as against messi and iniesta?
The Truth is that Messi is a far better player, and represents himself much better than the arrogance of Ronaldo, and proves it time and time again. If Ronaldo wins this year it is because Futbol is currupt, the governing body as well as all the politics envolved and they will enjoy selling more Shirts, or some kind of corrupt decision made. They have destroyed the game the same as politicians have with most parts in the world. Take nothing away from Messi...he is the best.
Ronaldo doesn't deserve any awards because
1st – He is an incredibly individualistic player in a team sport. He doesn't make his team mates play better like Xabi Alonso, Benzema or Özil do.
2nd- Has no respect for his colleagues
3rd – Messi is better and younger than him and will continue to win all the awards they both fight for until the end of their careers
Forgot to mention.. Pedro, please, try to be a bit more objective when you speak about CR7, Mourinho and the rest of the Portuguese players.
I hope it doesn't cause you too much pain seeing Barcelona doing another "triplete" this year (Liga, Copa & Champions League).
Your analysis of the three players is terribly one sided. What makes a complete player is not only your performance on the pitch. If so, maradona would today be regarded as the greatest.
Messi is a complete footballer and a gentle man. If they would not give to him(Messi) because he has won it several times, then it should be awarded to Iniesta.
What is happening to ronaldo due to the presence of Messi is what is happening to Victor Valdes due to the presence of Ika Casias.
CR should have been born at another time, so also Valdes.
This the most biased analysis I have ever seen or read in footballing terms!If it was all about winning league trophies,then the likes of Aguero and Yaya Toure would be among the favourites.If Ronaldo was that magical for real madrid,why didn't he stir them to champions league glory?If the copa dey rey was that meaningless,why do you and your fellow Mourinho fans count it as one of the trophies he has won?GOALS ARE GOALS.FOR ONCE I THINK THAT THE BRILLIANCE OF INIESTA SHOULD BE REWARDED BY FOOTBALL WORLD!I have always known you as a real madrid,mourinho and ronaldo fanatic not the least,you are portuguese.
Calma...Calma ...eu Calma
Barcelona and Messi fans are all little soppy girls!!!! when Barcelona lost to Madrid the Manager left crying PUSSY!
Ronaldo is the BEST EVER, played is 3 leagues, in England the hardest of all and was crowned best world player ONLY ONE EVER.
Ronaldinho...Kaka...great players but could not do anything in another league not easy to do only the GREATEST CAN ie Figo Zinadine.
Messi has been in Barca all his life like Raul was in Real and for this reason they will and have scored lots of goals but when it comes to adaptation to different leagues there will never be another RONALDO.
"Furthermore, while Messi had the whole Barcelona team playing for him, Ronaldo shared the ball and the goals with the likes of..."
National bias aside, that statement is ludicrous. Messi makes things happen for everyone just with his movement alone, and is much more of a team player than CR has ever been.
Not sayin Cristina doesn't deserve the award because she had a great season for both club and country. But you can't count the fact that Argentina isn't in Europe and didn't get to participate in the Championships this summer, against Messi. Either way I agree that both players deserve the award and whoever wins, nobody should complain... but implying that Cristina is more of a team player than Messi is complete joke.
Messi should win this one..
i see he is from portugal like you so he have to win. messi still the best
dear writer, your comments are good and worth reading but the criterion u ve selected were lil bias towards ur countryman.sir, messi iz too good to beat even by CR7.he is a good sportsman and posses all the qualities of a good player.navaer misbehave unnecessary wid his opponent player viz-a-viz CR7 seems arrogant and vocal.he can be placed after messi but not aheah oh him.
I think they will give it to Iniesta just because he does not have one so far and he is working really hard and making good games. At the last El Clasico Iniesta made the difference by earning a penalty and passing for 3rd goal.
Messi is the greatest player ever, not only has he been the best in the last few years, he will continue to be the best for many years to come.
messi deserves to win this title again.he breaks all major records
i'M GETTING FED UP WIYH QUESTION OF WHICH MULTI MILLIONAIRE FROM SPAINSHOULD BE THE BEST FOOTBAKLLER THE FACT OF THE MATTER BEING SPAIN IS IN DEBTYET THESE PLAYERS GET SALARIES LIKER THE SKY IDS THE LIMIT AND YOU CAN CHANGE THAT
BIOJ VOTING FOR A GERMAN PLAYER FROM MUNCHEN
It pains me so much to see that IKE CASILAS is not included in the final 3 or are you saying that goal keepers are not footballers? Well in the absence of IKE i will prefer CR7 cuz he was fantastic last season.Finally i will say Fifa should get a special award for IKE cuz he has won it all......
messi is the best. simple as that. He has been for three straight years and probably do the same another 2 years at least barca is the best team in the world even though they lost 2 games because of all the injured players. Messi is the only person in the world de do 75! goals in one season its impossible for anyone to reach him he a thousand years ahead of ronaldo by a long shot. if messi didnt win the award i would clearly vote for iniesta he is `THE BRAIN´ of barcelona the best team in the world. Ronaldo didnt even o so well with portugal he wasnt even do 4 goals in the eurocup he simply cant deserve it because :
MMMEESSSSIIIII>>>>>>ronaldo
Understand you Pedro, however Iniesta would so so deserve it for all his done for football.a total delight to watch and do goals really mean everything.i mean think of beckenbauer.don't remember him scoring too many goals
One Portuguese scratching the back of another Portuguese.
Iniesta is a play maker hes the one who controls the middle and makes the stars shine without him theres no midfield i vote Iniesta!
Ronaldo should win it. Last year, we saw Ronaldo winning the Golden Boot but seeing Messi winning La Liga and the Champions. This year the opposite occurred. Messi won the Golden Boot but Ronaldo achieved a record breaking 100 pointer for La Liga title, so if Messi won it last year, I should say Ronaldo should win it this year.
Messi is the best by far an the award should go to him. He one of the three best in history. Cristiano Ronaldo and Iniesta are good players but not even close to Messi.
I think some of you are very confuse on how this award is given.
The common argument in favour of Messi that I keep hearing is that he scored a ridiculous amount of goals setting a record so he deserves it.
FALSE!
This award is not given on how many goals a player scores in a season. I know Messi set a record and it was a ridiculous achievement but we already have a specific award for that called the European Golden Boot in case you didn't know. Don't get it twisted!
Another argument I hear is that Messi won Club World Cup, Euro Supercup etc. Those cups hold no weight whatsoever in deciding this award and they never have! Messi competed for those trophies by default because of Barca's success the previous season so obviously they will not have any bearing towards who wins this award.
This award is handed out to not only which player played the best on the biggest stages during the season but also which player was most influential in his club winning the biggest trophies!
Chelsea won the UCL but none of their players played anywhere near the level of Messi or Ronaldo and they won it with a little luck and pretty unattractive defending (not downplaying Chelseas achievements). So it is clear this has to go to one of the two and personally I think it should go to Ronaldo.
Despite Messi's incredible goal haul, Ronaldo won La Liga and he was just too influential for Real. Messi scored all those goals but all he has to show for it is a Copa del Rey, you cannot compare that to winning La Liga, im sorry. That is just the way it is.
He won the Golden Boot for his goals but the Ballon d'Or is much bigger than that, it is not just about goals. If it was, then only strikers would be winning the award so Zidane, Kaka, Nedved, Cannavaro, Figo, Ronaldinho etc should never have won it by your logic.
the best player who can play not one league for many years also can play another league too., and who helps team mates to score because football is TEAM game right?so RC will be the right choice for this time.
this article is totally biased, when you talk about sharing the ball, you must consider assist, Messi had more assist than Ronaldo.
MT – you made my day... Cristina.... priceless, cant stop laughing!
It was not my intention to start the riot but glad people are vocal about blatant favoritism for Portugal, for Cristina (looooool), for Maurinho – who is the dirtiest most disgusting coach i have ever seen, whose aim in life is to initiate quarrel and break up peace.....
I would not be surprised if one day I open CNN and I read an article by Pedro Pinto on how amazing Pepe is... a player who should have been banned for life after his haul on that defender... if there was a black card to be awarded for anything in football, he would have gotten it. Pathetic and disgusting behavior that does not belong in sport. The same type of behavior Maurinho shows and Cristina shows constantly. The only reason Cristina is cared about at RM is because he produces goals, that is the only thing they respect about him. As long as he helps RM and its players win medals, they will all hug him, but deep inside, a player that shouts and disrespects his team mates is despised. And he knows is. The only reason Pedro likes him and continually shows favoritism for him is because Portugal in the end benefits from his tallent, not because Pedro has a lot of respect for the kind of pathetic behavior Cristina displays on a daily basis. For something like that, only mother has an unconditional love and no one else. Messi on the other hand is loved not solely for his brilliance, his unprecedented scoring ability but for everything he is – more than a footballer – the same way Barca is more than a club. What a difference in legacy Cristina has built for herself (LOOOOL) and what Messi has done for himself.
Dont get me wrong, once upon a time when Zizu was playing, i was cheering for RM as well.
I think both Messi and Cristina (again, LOOOOOOL) probably deserve it equally and I am afraid footballing world might just award it to him cus of danger of disrupting the balance in the universe alien of Messi's caliber has introduced.... Iniesta i think has his last chance of winning this trophy. In fact I would be happier if he gets it in the end as this man has won absolutely everything there is to win in football and he has done it with grace and style. Give the man his last accolade and let him retire as one of the kings.
Cristina might just throw a fit if that happens... watch for his facial expression when it happens.
The best player has to play with the team (teamwork), score the most goals, be calm, be strategic, and not show of. Everything what Messi has.
On the other side, Ronaldo never plays teamwork, never scored more goals than Messi, never strategic (he has techniques and so does Messi), and always is a show of when he plays.
And I think all his character and some of his teammates characters, come from their l"il famoso monstruoso arrogant" Mourhino.
I think Ronaldo win!
Actually, Lonel Messi was not as good as Ronaldo. Ronaldo has to win the award this year. I just hope that the winner of nex year will be a player who is in Premier League or a player in charge of another position such as defender or keeper will get the prize !! We've seen the candidates for 3 years.. I want Toress to get the prize next year!
Golden boot winner in Europe, Spain and in the Champions league.
CR scored 3 goals in 5 matches for portugal at the Euros, in that same period, Messi score 4 goals for argentina in 2 matches
The only thing Ronaldos got ahead of messi is La Liga
Hi Pedro,
Like you said; it is a difficult decision for many. Both had a great season last year.
But I think and looking really close to how they both touch the ball, the REAL magic belongs to MESSI.
I hope he wins again. Have a great night Pedro!
Greetz
Barcelona had injuries to key players in the defence & attack. You can justifiably question the depth of the Barca bench on that. As much as this award has so much to do with what players achieve in the field of play it has so much to do with character of the player.I think Pinto you will agree that soccer players are also role models.
As far as achievements in the field of play for the whole player career Iniesta has achieved more than all three. He has won almost everything except this award. Messi is second & shame Ronaldo is a distant three. FAR! VERY FAR PINTO!
Seasonal achievement! Ronaldo ONLY won the La Liga in 2011/2012. Messi & iniesta have won four Cups, Champions Leagues Semi Final & 2nd spot in the La Liga.
In the process Messi added the 73 goal record, scored 5 goals in a Champion's League match which was also another record & another Barca goal record.
Iniesta also added the European Championship where Portugal & Ronaldo failed. While Ronaldo will be remembered yelling at fans & making bad and inaccurate statements about Messi, Iniesta will be remembered in that tournament as the PLAYER OF THE TOURNAMENT.
Furthermore, Messi & Iniesta play honest football. They do not fake fouls nor remonstrate with other players including their own teammates. I cannot imagine Messo or Iniesta yelling at fans.
Pinto who said La Liga is the most important cup in the world as criteria for this award?
For the record Ronaldo is the ONLY soccer player (maybe sports person ) I HAVE SEEN IN MODERN FOOTBALL campaigning on TV that he is the best player in the world. That was unethical & shameless of Ronaldo , to say the least.
The only other player who thinks he is the best is Pele. Actually this one thinks he owns the criteria of what is best in soccer to make it is Brazillian. Is Pele having a bad influence in Ronaldo?
Was it coincidence that it was you Pinto who was interviewing your countryman? Was this a Portugese campaign or what? Tell the truth Pedro. I thought you are a powerful intelligent & world respected soccer analyst not a backward nationalist from Portugal.
Talk soccer because that is what CNN pays you for..
i really think ronaldo deserves this...its just unfair how the fifa officials are always praising messi all the time and overlooking the works and achievements of ronaldo...its now time for ronaldo to earn what he truly deserves...plus he is just a left winger unlike messi who is a striker so he should be appreciated for being messi's biggest competition overall and plus he works hard for most of his goals unlike messi who has xavi to set him up a clear one on one all the time...
GIVE IT TO INIESTA. MESSI WOULDN'T MIND.
CR7 is far behind Messi. MEssi deserves it this, again. Sorry for CR7, although he is a good player, he has to compete with "probably the best player of the century." – L Messi.
Ahh, Messi doing his classic "Robert DeNiro in Taxi Driver" goal celebration.
It is really a pleasure to see people commit their emotions to the players they like and adore. Nothing wrong with that. It just tells us about how much we think of our heritage and fervor for this Sport.
All things considered, amounts of goals, passes that led to team mates score for the team, charisma in the field, gallantry and respect for others, all of these need to be considered.
Messi and Iniesta has had their opportunity to excel in a well developed fussball machine called "Barcelona." Ronaldo brought Real Madrid to excellence in 2012.
Respecting other's opinion, it will be my subjective interpretation, that Ronaldo be awarded for his multiple talents. But of course, that is just my humble opinion. I hope this is not taken as an offense to other's.
My gratitude for having expressed my opinion.
EJPT, MD
Mr Pedro, why won't u stop from being bias, when it comes to cr7. The award should be given on individual brilliance. It is there for everyone to see in YouTube, how the goals are scored by Messi and cr7. Cr7, apart from few individual goal, mostly from spot kick n free kick. And there on other hand, Messi, just watch it yourself, need no explanation. Cr7 is a wonderful player, but Messi is a genius. So please......
if the case is trophies means Iniesta has to be crowned the European best player;last season he won Club world championship; European supercup; copa de rey; European Champion; Spanish SuperCopa and he was the brain of moves
Messi won Club world championship; European supercup; copa de rey; ; Spanish SuperCopa
Ronaldo won La Liga only. on trophies is obvious Iniesta is the best player in Europe.
individually consider goals and assists; minutes played; i believe the correct MVP wont be mistaken!
Ronaldo vs. Inesta vs. Messi????
You do realize that there are leagues named the EPL, Bundesliga and many others with very many fine players right?
This whole "footballer of the year" is pretty short sighted for a team sport.
Put Messi and Iniesta on a team that don't keep the ball 70 percent of the time (Argentine and Spain national teams) and let me know if they would have much of a success.
Only those with eyesight problems like Pedro and who also can not differentiate football/soccer skills from merely pumping the ball into the net can say CR stands a chance. He is not suppose to be in the top three in terms of skills but for the number of goals that he scored he has been included prejudicing the likes of Xavi,Nemayer,Yaya Toure,Bale,De Maria etc
It should be 'Iniesta' this time. Being the best player is not about scoring goals and providing assists (where Messi dominates), but rather creating real chances; and of course winning trophies. Not a soul can doubt that Iniesta was THE key spanish player in the European Cup. And of course, there is the 'humility' factor that should be integral to every player's character. Thus preference (1) iniesta, (2) Messi, and (3) cry-baby CR7 a far distant third.
Pinto, you are saying all these about Ronaldo being the best player. I know why, because you are Portugees. Please stop to influence other journalists and stop to be myopic in your assessment. Keep your opinions to yourself. Waite for the day and vote. CR7 is not an exiting player, he is ever running away with the ball as if he is Usain Bolt! Sorry Pinto!
True. Ronaldo has won the La Liga this year. However, this prestigious award is about individual achievements accomplished in the Champions League, or Europe, I am not entirely sure.
Above all, it is undeniable and indubtible that Messi is the finest footballer on the athlete, far more decisive than Ronaldo, as proved on Sunday by the presence of both playing away games, Ronaldo losing but Messi winning. I do not care if Ronaldo is more 'complete' than Messi; Messi has substantiated and demonstrated that he is the better player with his unmatchable 70-goal haul last season.
I am not a Barcelona fan, but this is the truth. Iniesta is phenomenal too, but not the best as long as Messi and Ronaldo are present.
That is why you are called Pinto. In my language, pinto means a person who normally does not give a correct assessment of the situation, not deliberately but rather natural lack of!
I think this year Iniesta deserves to be awarded as a best player of the year. And I think Barca will not be nothing without Iniesta , cause he is the one who begins all the attacks .
Let say the fact, Messi is the best player to have ever touch the round leather. He is even better than Pele and Maradona. History would tell. Let us not forget the fact that he is a genius and genius only comes once in a while.....
C.ronaldo deserve to be awarded Cr7777777777777777777777
comparing the players that play around Messi to that of Ronaldo,..... Ronaldo rightly deserves the award.
Lol you guys are pretty delusional aren't you? Pedro is one of the most professional and unbiased writers today. The guy has even rater Messi higher than his fellow countryman when he stated that he thinks Messi is still the best and the most exciting player in the world, but just supposed Ronaldo is more deserving of the award (ONLY JUST THIS YEAR) and I remember him also believing Messi was more worthy of the prize last year in one of his articles. Stop attacking him for no reason. He obviously makes a valid point. The public opinion is that Ronaldo deserves to win the Ballon d'Or this year and is more deserving of the award than Messi. And don't get me wrong, Messi is the greatest in the world, but this year has been and is still Ronaldo's year.
i love iniesta and i l ove messi i just don't know who to win this but for the record i'll be happy if iniesta is given this chance.........
zakes, i definately agree with you messi would not mind unlike somebody........................................
Last Time Around CR7 Out scored Messi.
Messi Won.
This Time CR7 Proved He Deserves It.
I think Ronaldo deserves to win. Not only he's hot (LOL), but he also has the skill than Messi.. Messi is really good but for me, not good enough. I've seen videos on how they play. I think Ronaldo is still the best.. And not to forget the stats they both have. 😀 But anyway, whoever wins, congratulations.. 😀
i think christiano ronaldo deserves the Ballon d"Or award,beacuse of what he achieved last season,d liga primera,60goals for real madrid,an excellent game at d EURO,and the supercup against a team like barce,i optimistic he will pick up d accolade.
Could be a tussle between Iniesta an Ronaldo.......Iniesta would be my pick going by his play in the Euro 2012
CR 7.
Ronaldo is the man,if we have to be honest with ourselves, he is complete as a player, i love Messi"s style of play but also i just cant put him ahead of Ronaldo,Messi has just one style of play but Ronaldo can do all that is required in football Exceptional Ronaldo all the way..
huh! Pedro I never knew that you are Portuguese, that is why you are in full support of Cristiano Ronaldo and Real Madrid. Being bias is not good I do hope you know that? No doubt Cristiano Ronaldo did perform and scored a lot of goals lasts season and also during the EURO 2012. But for Messi even the true Real Madrid Supporters and Fans will tell that Cristiano Ronaldo is a Fantastic players but as for Messi there is no one who can be compare to him not even Cristiano Ronaldo. Although I now that I am a true fan of Messi I do believe that Iniesta to deserve this award because he have now so many trophies last season with the team and his performance during the EURO 2012 was unquestionable.
Pedro, your Latin bias is understandable, but surely, you are ignoring the feat of Robin Van Persie, whose 31 goals practically won Arsenal their top 3 place on his own in the EPL. It's so mch easier to perform at the very top of your game when all around are also playing well, and the team is winning regularly, but RVP was doing his stuff in a struggling set up, having lost their talismanic playmaker Cesc Fabregas. Now, I have no reason to like this man after his outrageous defection to Manchester, but credit where it's due.
To Geoff Gape: Van Persie did not make the final shortlist of three players named by UEFA: Iniesta, Ronaldo and Messi.
Messi is simply the best and he is in the world of his own.its just a pity CR7 has to play in the same generation with Messi.Oh sorry!!!!!! Ronaldo
Ronaldo was the best player last season. Not only did he play well but his team actually won the la liga title. Messi had a good season, but barca won the copa del rey and club world cup. nothing big.
Messi hands down, no question!
Cristiano Ronaldo will certainly win, because he has defeated Andres Iniesta and Lionel Messi in the supercup!
For his character, individual skill and overall contribution to the game of soccer, Iniesta should be given this award. Football is a team work and no one person can really excel in isolation in the game of football. Ronaldo and Messi score more goals because of their respective roles as attackers but the midfield marshal in Iniesta – in the Spanish team and Barcelona. He deserves to win this award.
'So finally to Cristiano. I know for a fact, because I have talked to him about it various times, that the Portugal international believes he deserves to be rewarded for his exploits last season'.....
So let me get this straight, you believe that Ronaldo deserves the award because he told you he believes he deserves it?
Pedroooooooo how is your ego doing? Ronaldo was having mini strokes during the ceremony... hahahah, Iniesta it is and Im happy its like that, otherwise we would not hear the end of it. Think about your predictions as of late, with the winners of major leagues (Man utd vs Man city article), this award and many other times you have sternly predicted the outcome.... If i was a journalist who for a living did this job and got it wrong this many times, id probably at least stop writing so much. Please consider it while you consol your beloved CR7 behind the scenes... and Cristina can go pump his chest now as much as he wants....
Soooo how we feeling about Ronaldo win it?! Lol
Iniesta !!! Iniesta !!! Iniesta !!! Iniesta !!! Iniesta !!! Iniesta !!! Iniesta !!! Iniesta !!! Iniesta !!! Iniesta !!! Iniesta !!! Iniesta !!! Iniesta !!! Iniesta !!! Iniesta !!! Iniesta !!! Iniesta !!! Iniesta !!! Iniesta !!! Iniesta !!! Iniesta !!! Iniesta !!! Iniesta !!! Iniesta !!! Iniesta !!! Iniesta !!! Iniesta !!! Iniesta !!! Iniesta !!! Iniesta !!! Iniesta !!! Iniesta !!! Iniesta !!! Iniesta !!! Iniesta !!! Iniesta !!! Iniesta !!! Iniesta !!! Iniesta !!! Iniesta !!! Iniesta !!! Iniesta !!! Iniesta !!! Iniesta !!! Iniesta !!! Iniesta !!! Iniesta !!! Iniesta !!! Iniesta !!! Iniesta !!! Iniesta !!! Iniesta !!! Iniesta !!! Iniesta !!! Iniesta !!! Iniesta !!! Iniesta !!! Iniesta !!! Iniesta !!! Iniesta !!! Iniesta !!! Iniesta !!! Iniesta !!! Iniesta !!! Iniesta !!! Iniesta !!! Iniesta !!! Iniesta !!! Iniesta !!! Iniesta !!! Iniesta !!! Iniesta !!! Iniesta !!! Iniesta !!! Iniesta !!! Iniesta !!! Iniesta !!!
And I'm lovin it.
Crystal ball a lil dusty eh? What was that you said about Iniesta's chances??
Someone mentioned Portugal having Ronaldo as the only star??
Nani, Moutinho, Coentrao, Pepe, Veloso, Meireles & Alves – surely these are not your definition of nobodies!
You are such a wise guy. You have not mentioned once Iniesta in your article....but the winner is.....Why? World and European Champion (2) with Spain, assits to Messi´s goals (more even than Xavi), Class, nice guy...the best among the best....and you do not mention him in your article? Better review your knowledge before writting cuase you have missed the best. Have you ever seen him playing?
told ya, its Iniesta
Dear Friends
Dont look at nationality look at the caliber of the player, who can make the team winning , who playing better football ,who scoring more goal ,who can inspire the world ,who is the humble person ,who scored highest number of goal in last season its a world record ,look at all the data u will get only one answer Messiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii
Messi..
Pedro !What do you have to say/write/type/read/confess about Iniesta !!! Iniesta !!! Iniesta !!! Iniesta !!! Iniesta !!! Iniesta !!! Iniesta !!! Iniesta !!! Iniesta !!! Iniesta !!! Iniesta !!! Iniesta !!! Iniesta !!! Iniesta !!! Iniesta !!! Iniesta !!! Iniesta !!! Iniesta !!! Iniesta !!! Iniesta !!! Iniesta !!! Iniesta !!! Iniesta !!! Iniesta !!! Iniesta !!! Iniesta !!! Iniesta !!! Iniesta !!! Iniesta !!! Iniesta !!! Iniesta !!! Iniesta !!! Iniesta !!! Iniesta !!! Iniesta !!! Iniesta !!! Iniesta !!! Iniesta !!! Iniesta !!! Iniesta !!! Iniesta !!! Iniesta !!! Iniesta !!! Iniesta !!! Iniesta !!! Iniesta !!! Iniesta !!! Iniesta !!! Iniesta !!! Iniesta !!! Iniesta !!! Iniesta !!! Iniesta !!! Iniesta !!! Iniesta !!! Iniesta !!! Iniesta !!! Iniesta !!! Iniesta !!! Iniesta !!! Iniesta !!! Iniesta !!! Iniesta !!! Iniesta !!! Iniesta !!! Iniesta !!! Iniesta !!! Iniesta !!! Iniesta !!! Iniesta !!! Iniesta !!! Iniesta !!! Iniesta !!! Iniesta !!! Iniesta !!! Iniesta !!! Iniesta !!!
winning the title ?
James, IR, Juan, and the plethora of other Barcelona fan boys out there who leave comments without actually making an argument, I would like to point out that of the last 7 CRITICAL Games both of them have played, messi has been outperformed by Ronaldo. Thus if the hallmark of the best player is the capacity to step up when the light shines brightest then Ronaldo (First player EVER to score in 5 straight classicos) outperformed Messi and anyone who disagrees is just as biased as the very writer they cast aspersion upon. Athletico Madrid: Hatrick, Sevilla: Hatrick, Bayern: Brace, Barcelona (5 straight classico goals), Supercup Ronaldo brace (Messi yet to score in open play for 7 straight classicos now).
Secondly, how can you accuse Pedro of nationalistic bias when qualifies his position by saying that he thinks Messi is the best–and most exciting– player in the world, but was simply outperformed THIS year by ronaldo? Moreover, since when did goal tally truly mean anything? Zidane, ronaldinho, kaka, cannavaro, figo NEVER scored more than 30 in a season yet were all regarded as the best players at one time or another b/c they scored/excelled in the most crucial of games. Of Messi's 14 goal haul, HALF of them were against a bottom 5 bundesliga defense in leverkusen, and at the point in which the league was still being decided between madrid and barcelona, ronaldo and messi was virtually on-par in goal tally. It wasnt until AFTER that decisive game when the outcome was no longer in doubt that Messi padded his stats with goals (inlc4-5 penalties).
Objectivity says Ronaldo deserves it this year, period.
P.S. Anyone saying 73 goals trumps everything else needs to look at the players on the top ten list of most goals in a season, how many of them would u consider in the top 10 of all time? Meaningless.
Olá Pedro,
Parabéns pelo trabalho na CNN.
Só não percebi porque não falaste em português com o Ronaldo na cerimónia da UEFA no Mónaco. Não pareceu nada bem. Para a próxima aconselha o Ronaldo que deve falar na nossa língua, tal como fizeram e bem o Iniesta e o Messi que falaram na língua deles. O Mourinho quando recebeu o prémio falou em português.
Um abraço de Portugal
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In my opinion Messi, he has qualities that make them be superior on the pitch, its not only about the quantity of goals scored per player, but the capacity to anticipate and pass the ball to the right people at the right time. Ronaldo is great executing but not so much constructing as Messi is. Overall Messi's accomplishments individually and as a team player are greater!
Vamos Messi!
men what more can i say, as a great fan of ronaldo i most say he is still awesome despite the presence of messi and iniesta and you are suppose to understand that we are talking about incredible players when it comes to the world of football and not their respective clubs and when it comes to their clubs they were all supportive but i will definitely vote for ronaldo cuz i think he is the best presently and may for a long time
All court player Andres Iniesta is a treat to watch. Much brain, less brawn but a huge maker of fabulous victories. Humility is the key to his success. Would love to see Iniesta play for many more seasons for club and country.
Thus said i am totally in support of the notion that Christiano deserves the tittle.He worked for the team,being a true hero.
Without a doubt in my mind from the heart of mine, I truly believe, Mr. Ronaldo Christiano deserves the 'Ballon D'or' this time around above everybody and everyone in the world!!!
Messi!!!
He is the best! He won the most important tournament in Europe (UEFA Champions). He scored during this year in different ways, all kind of goals...in moments of decision. I´m Brazilian, but I need to say: Today, Messi is the best!
THERE YOU GO MR. PINTO !!!!!!
CR7 LEADER ON THE PITCH AND OFF THE PITCH. YOU SHOULD BE FIRED BY T.TURNER. DO YOU KNOW WHAT BIAS MEDIA MEANS ????
CR7 LEADER. I WILL BE HAPPY IF YOU WRITE AN ARTICLE TO RE-TRACT YOUR WRITE UP !!!
messi all the way too many aspects to his game cannot be marked with one player like the other two without him barca no where as good
***Ronaldo***
I think Messi is an incredible but his supporting cast usually gives him more glory than he deserves.
Ronaldo's game is better in every department...
Reblogged this on petros.
Great analysis by Pedro Pinto. Although it is too close to call, Ronaldo deserves the award for individual ability, skill, pace, tackles, and contribution to his professional team and the national team. Dr Olu Bamgbade
Ronaldo is simply the best. He scored against all the clubs in La Liga last season .
i think Rolando is best of all best for now,let Messi go and play for other club let see if he's going win this Aword please i want you all to know this
think of those who work for people and think and think of those who people work for,Ronaldo wark for real madrid and baca work for Messi
CR7 anytym....his star simply outshorn:)
i think messi is best ever plays in world!C7 is second..
The only time Ronaldo won World football of the year was when he was at Manchester United he is overshadowed in the Spanish League by Messi and Iniesta
messi the magician,the best in field and best for the award
simply CR7.
Many years ago a certain Colin Bell was described by many pundits as a player who played 10 years ahead of his time. His reading of the game was magnificent and often to good for those around him. I cannot prove this but I tipped Iniesta last year to be the player of the year. Messi and CR are both fantastic players, and because of their entertainment value are often put on a pedastool (probably deservedly) but you really have to look beyond the headliners to see the players who are often the brains behind their success. Iniesta is such a player whose vision and skill creates so many chances for not only Messi but others within the national team. Well done the journos who had the courage to award the right decision to the right player.
I love it when Pedro Pinto is wrong about football, which is most of the time. Why CNN still uses him outside of tennis commenting is a mystery.
Did not see Iniesta being chosen did you? Reporters chose him. Do you not hang out with reporters? You were the host and have been for 7 times are still not even in sync with the crowd opinion?
Stick to tennis bro, more your speed.
definately ronaldo
Who is messi????? Messi is the biggest dissapointment of 2010 world cup. Two greatest players messi and maradona came together to produce the greatest failure of the century. I don't know how they did that. Messi is someone who rides in the success and labours of xavi, inesta, alves, besquests and frabegas.
Just watch carefully every year when award session are approaching, cr7 haters comes out to support messi. Here in india everyone is like ronaldo. messi too came in india but not many people came to cheer him as expecte. Cr7 has a strong fan base in asia after all he has highest facebook freinds. Way more ahead than messi. He is the peoples champion.
When will messi or bercelona dominance end? Only When spain economy crumbles. look at greece they can't afford to send their children in school next will be spain.
You can imagine the people of great or say greatest britain ruling the football world. My only wish is that epl team's beats barcelona and that glorious england team winning the worldcup. I can assure like after 5 years ballon d'or will be from english clubs so sad spain will not even have money to buy tickets. Seriously ronaldo is still a champion to me but i know that deserving peopple doest not get the best.
Pedro is doing a good job he should write more articles without bais like he is doing now.
Messi can do one thing Wear a viel a play in middle east countries when spain crumbles to dust.
is only messi no one else is the any person are trying to chelage him no body like him
a man in the game who does pretend he play to his satisfation so respecful in fact is the only lion that have mercyful him most win the best player and him deserve the golden ball
lionel messi deserved the golden ball is a winner
messi is the best.
ronaldo is the best player on and off the pitch both club and country secondly he inspire the young ones but meissi only have scorering
sense when the ball was put to him while ronaldo struggle for the ball
before he scores so ronaldo is the world best for this day thank you
Mr. pedro i don't know what is your own view but every time i read any article related to Messi and Ronaldo you seen to always disappoint me in your comment and view between Messi and Ronaldo i though you are good writer but obviously you are one of those that forget reality just because you have you own interest you are even saying ronaldo won more team trophy more than messi have you forget world club cup, the uafa super cup? you only mention copa dey rey, Ronaldo is good player but when it come to messi individual achievement he always come second best. next time please verify before writing you where wrong. by voting messi deserve that award
A lot of comments, here.
We all know that Realmadrid was very supporitve of Roanldo and Ronaldo was very good but not the best during the last few games.
However, Messi, people think that Messi is super awesome player because he scores and assists, wherease Ronaldo likes to score.
Last year, Pep said "We are making a plan according to messi so that he can score more".
Considering this, both team have been very supportive of their own player.
If I didn't know any better, I wouldn't hesistate to say Messi is way better.
But since two are in same situation. No body gurantee that Barcel without messi will beat Real without Ronaldo or vice versa.
My point here is that I like both of them 😛
MESSI is the REAL MAN!!!
Cristiano Ronaldo is a better player than Lionel Messi. The Real Madrid ace is a more "complete" player than the Barcelona forward.
Ronaldo truly deserves it and I agree with Pedro Pinto
CRISTIANO RONALDO deserves to win it this time for all he managed to do with his club and the national team.
Ronaldo truly deserves it , he is the best player and I agree with Pedro Pinto
CR7 deserves it more! messi should leave barca and come over to the english epl and make has much impact, Pedro is saying the truth ..
Finally a serious, non emotional report. CR7 should certainly win the award.
Iniesta, Messi, Ronaldo in that order
Iniesta is the best of these 3. Messi has the benfit of service from players like Iniesta and Xavi. Look at how Messi does when he plays for the Argentinian National team....he dose nothing. What happens when Iniesta goes into massive international competitions. He wins! It's hard sometimes to give the award to a setup man. But Iniesta is brilliant. He is the most underrated player in the world. He is not flashy. He is losing his hair. He is small........So What?!
But.... He works tirelessly. He doesn't dive (like Ronaldo), and his skill set is second to none.
For me, hands down, the award goes to Iniesta. One of my absolute favorite players.
I am a good player muself. In my view after Pele Ronaldo is the player todate
I think that ronaldo should be the one to take the prize because he saved real madrid when they were playing against barcelorna,and as we know meesi is the dangerous man but he defeated him.
I believe the Cristiano Ronaldo should be crowned as the best player on the continent over the last season due to his performance and contributions to other players. When you watched those matches he played, he did not wait for other players to pass to him before scored, he equally contributes by not depends on other players to pass ball to him unlike Messi usually did
Wow, got some really angry dudes here, but obviously some that have no clue what they are talking about. Messi no doubt is a great player. Too bad he's a product of the Barca factory. I don't think he could do his magic on any other team other than Barca. Extraordinary player surrounded by other amazing players. Messi is one demensional, he can only work the middle like no one else. He can't wing it on either side, how many air balls has he scored on? He goes down more than CR7 does, it doesn't take much. Yeh, Ronaldo had his diving days but at one point he was the most fouled player in the world. You know why?, other players don't like to be made fools of, and that he did. So get over yourself Ronaldo haters. Just because he's cocky, arrogant, and dresses better than Messi doesn't make him less deserving. Start watching some games, not just highlights and you'll quickly see what I mean. Ronaldo is the complete player as compared to Messi, even though his antics get on my nerves once in awhile too. As for international play, both these players haven't delivered the big one yet, but I'd put my money on CR7 before Messi. Later.
Pinto is right. Portugal are the greatest sporting nation that ever existed. After all, they even got a silver medal in the Olympics. Its not only Pinto who thinks that Ronaldo is the greatest but Ronaldo thinks he's the greatest also. So he must be the greatest.
I had to wait 60 years to see genius – I have never seen anything like Messi – Lightning reading of a game, Instant decision making, Brilliant goals – at times what he does seems impossible. He obviously has special gifts that other humans don't have. Breaking every record was breathtaking. His assists appear impossible but they still happen. Ronaldo is really an excellent goal scorer, but one dimensional. Messi is mesmerizing. We must appreciate Messi now – we will never see anyone like him again in our lifetimes. It is a bit sad for the others that Messi is there – but what is, is. We shouldn't feel sorry for Ronaldo and Iniesta – just because Messi has won it 3 times doesn't automatically mean that he shouldn't get it again. If he deserves it he deserves it – and he obviously does – we all know it in our heart of hearts. The other players are clever enough to understand this. So well done Lionel Messi.
I think that Iniesta doens't have chances. The award will be in good hands if its goes to Messi or Ronaldo. I think that when they will run for the best player of the world, they will have other great opponent: NEYMAR!
Ronaldo he has proved to 3 different Countries and we want also Messi to prove out of Barcelona and Spain.
But as of now he cannot compete even with Maradona and Pelle
He has won only in Europe and Spain
He has showed nothing on world cup
Inistat may be should be ahead of all these 3 Ovespoken Players because he has proved at world cup and Euro and he has been deceive.
Messi and Ronaldo they all overrated to be considered alkl time best because it in'nt about goal scoring only but making difference in all stages
Falcao is better than then all of them and he going to show soon and stop this toothless debate,They so many good players than only Messi,Ranaldo.The world is not doing justice to this proffessional
If you were a manager who would you sign and why?
This is not a joke; Man city spent 930.4 million euros to fetch the league title but generated only 365.3 million. shocked?? Please don't be because you will see more shockings things below.
If you sign Messi you'll obviously have to hunt top players like xavi, inesta, alba, tello, dani alves, besquest, frabegas . If not Messi will be a failure like in argentina; he always has and will always be. Signing messi and other top player to support him will cost any club more than 1 billion euro plus there weekly wages. All in all minimum of 6 billion euro project to sign Messi. RMA kept 1 billion for cr7. And for your attention, the whole of EPL generated only 2.23 billion. Now, who in there right mind will sign Messi? Financial control panel of football governing body wants a 'level playing field'. Every manager will choose 6 billion than the champions or league title. Bringing messi and his co will also mean rise in ticket price by at least 40%: Football match for £100 is costly! With no sign of improvement or break through in Europe's economy signing Messi will only mean problems.
As for cr7 he does not need a team to support him. The best thing about him is that he is not a team player but one man team. He performs his famous step over and the next second in a blink of an eye the ball finds the net. He doesn't copy anyone nor there who can copy his techniques. He is the edge of all players. Signing cr7 will cost you 100-120 million euros plus wages but he is better than signing Messi. At the end of the day every club wants profits too. UEFA financial fair play regulation watchdogs will fire any team who's ideas are like spending more than they earn in pursuit of success . I guarantee you there in no club that can earn 6 billion euros.
There must be a reason when daniel alves of barcelona said, 'If i was a manager i would defiantly sign cr7. He is an amazing player.'
cr7 prove himself in lisbon, man utd, RMA. For his country he made into euro 2004-finals, wc 2006 semi-finals, euro 2012 semi-finals.
Messi has some good results to boast too like scoring zero goals in 2010 wc and the next year he got knock out of copa america is his home turf. Messi can't even prove himself in south america without his extra talented Barca team mates. There is no way of comparing him with ronaldo. First let him achieve what cr7 has achieved than we will think about it.
Who will you want a reputed player Messi or an ultimate player like cr7?
All win for ronaldo.
Yes, i truly believe CR7 deserve this award. He scores incredible goals from a distance under pressure. To win the league with Real madrid ahead of Barcelona is no mean achievement. You need to note that it was becoming increasingly difficult to take the La Liga away from Barcelona. The intensity and tenacity of Ronaldo's contribution are quite evident. If we want to discoountenance his achievement in the Euro, then it is also necessary to ask why Lionel Messi couldnt take his National team to a win?
Messi is best playet
Rolando is the first to score hat-trick in La Liga, the first to score hat-trick in champions league 2012-2013 edition. He is the one.
xabi Alonso is the best defensive midfielder I've ever seen in my life. He is one of the player who always find a place in an unstable Jose – 'the special one' first eleven.
Yes, Zubemo your right I too would go for Ronaldo not Messi after-all even Barcelona's player thinks the same.
Ronaldo, ronaldo, ronaldo, ronaldo, ronaldo, ronaldo, ronaldo, ronaldo, ronaldo, ronaldo, ronaldo, ronaldo, ronaldo, ronaldo, ronaldo, ronaldo, ronaldo, ronaldo, ronaldo, ronaldo, ronaldo, ronaldo, ronaldo, ronaldo, ronaldo, ronaldo, ronaldo, ronaldo.
Alonso, alonso, alonso, alonso, alonso, alonso, alonso, alonso, alonso, alonso, alonso, alonso.
No doubt, u cannot take away the inflence of both Messi and Ronaldo in their respective clubside. However messi enjoys the myriad of super players inputs from his colleagues but ronaldo share some unhealthy rivalry amidst his teammates who do not want only him to share in the glory of goal scoring ; but that notwithstanding he excel in an unbelievably superb form. i think he should be given the award for this season on that basis.And also a player that score a goal against every la-lige team last season, what a feat to achieve. Moreso Messi had made a toy of the award for three solid years, give Ronaldo the chance to enjoy the feelings with which the award brings with it.
I am a huge Messi fan, I think Messi will be remembered as one of the best, OR, the best player ever to have played. I am argentinian so I am biased. But I will admit that if there was ever a year for Ronaldo to win this award over Messi, 2011-2012 (this year) would have been the appropriate year, Ronaldo had a great year and performed very well against Barcelona, something he had not been able to do years before. I am of course happy that Iniesta was awarded the award, although I think he also could have been awarded in 2010 after winning the World Cup.
Cr7 is d best player of d world he deserve it.bt d fifa are nt saying d truth
Why are we so confused! even the blinded human being are saying MESSI MESSI, MESSI
Mou, cr7 and pinto has become a toy cr7's haters.
There a good amount of sites and journalist whose praise messi and make fun of ronaldo for a reason no one knows. Ronaldo is made fun of when he is sad, ronaldo is made fun of when he score goals. Now there are certain sections of people who make fun of jose and cr7 for winning titles.
Let be clear for this day on-wards, Inesta was awarded but they want ronaldo to be forgotten. Ronaldo came clearly as winner and beat messi one on one. They had to find means to stop Ronaldo and the reason was inesta won the euro. Can't they see Spain won over Portugal on penalties and cr7 did not even had his chance because he was the last pick.
Look at the was Inesta is playing. He sored 4 goals and eleven assit last season. he is nowhere close to messi or ronaldo. what make a bad player win such an honory individual award award? The answer is simple they all hate cr7.
You don't need to listen to the critics or read some rubbish articles making fun of ronaldo. Just watch and follow every game closely then you will know why ronaldo is better and set apart from the rest of the players.
messi will win the trophy,,,........
CR7 will win not win the trophy though am his big fan. Messi deserves it due to his outstandingand Brilliant performance last season
Sorry what i see here now is dat d face of those cr supporters ar real madrid fans sorry let us wait for d result but for sure , i see messi winning it again thanks.
Messi is better than CR7. Therefore, messi worth the world footballer
Still Messi stands NO,1 in World Football Players.
its very simple to proove,
Messi has two engines
1- Goaler
2- Maker
Messi can be seen more in action in field
While Ronaldo has only 1 engine ( Goaler)
Ronaldo is seen in the field rare
No two ways about that; C.R.7 should take the top prize home and is a must.
On ma mind even when am sleeping I wil always messi deserve it,someone is team didn't collect champions league was awarded champions league highest goal scorer come to th fact again he's still performing so awesome this season,highest goal scorer in laliga with assist cr7 11goals with no assist in laliga,cr7 happens to take his team in euro 2012 to semi-final with no euro honor everything was given to spain with there cup,inesta having the best player in euro2012,torres was give golden boot where is ronald world best country level forget about ronald and messi.
Messi deserve it couse he played 4 his team
i think messi deserves it, because the boy is such that will not understand the way he takes on players when playing. to be frank LEO MESSI deserve it again and again and again
Ronaldo he won 2 important trophy and semi-final agains spain eurocup and 56 goals 2012 . in 2011 messi 44 goals and and 1 liga they gave him this awards .
BEST PLAYER THIS YEAR 2012
C.RONALDO
ABSOLUTELY CR7777777777777777777777777777777777..... IS THE BRILLIANT AND MARVELOUS PLAYER IN OUR PLANET EARTH ............ WHEN I WATCH TV DURING RM PLAYING WITH OTHERS I FEEL FEAR BECAUSE ALL THE CR7 GOALS ARE LOOKS LIKE MI-SAIL ROCKETS SO..........................................CR7 IS THE BEAST OF BEASTS ................................AND SURE HE WAS WIENER OF THE BALLOUN'DOR OF 2012/13 .................TK7 ETHIOPIA
THAT IS DIFFICULT TO ANALYSIS ......................... BUT CR7 BEST OF BESTS UNTIL THE DAY AFTER 4 EVER...................
Messe deserve to win he is mirrcle boy
Best player on the planet goes to Messi. The kid got it all: vision, passing, finishing, speed, freekicks, heading, moving through 3 – 4 defenders with ease while smiling and making the goalkeeper look look and confused. C. Ronaldo is an outstanding player as well, however he scores low in skills compared to messi. Take away his speed and his career will suffer. Take the speed away from messi and you will have yourself a solid central midfielder who can splice and dice defenses with solid passing....in addition to goals scored and trophies won.. I rate these players based on what i see on the assist column as well because it tells me how much they are worth in terms of contributing to their team's success...not to mention...when ronaldo fails to score a goal during a match he often looks lost on the pitch!!..messi just finds ways to get his team the W, even when the defense torments him...
Let me save u guys the head ache and give you clues as to who the winner will be.
– He scores with his head and both legs [left & Right]
– He is the no. 1 free kick and penalty taker in his club and eventually at any club he decides to move to.
– He covers the entire pitch; spontaneously being at different positions depending on where his services are required [ front, back and center]
– He has the highest number of fans than any other sport man on social media
– Wikileaks has tipped him to be the winner.
Safe!
Though Messi did not win LA LIGA but still playing better foothball for his country and club FCB last season he begin uefa highest goals scorer with 14 and 60 goals in La LIGA and he own 21 in la liga with 5goals uefa champion league now.
Omg If Ronaldo doesn't win ima cry!!! La precion iOS on!!! Burns suerte
Ronaldo Is thé world best player And he mush win ballon or'd these year 2013 cause he desverd it,we love you world best,,,,,,,........,,,,
i think messi should win hes been most voted he is an artist who ever is with ronaldo go jump off a building who ever is with messi knows how to think and who ever is with iniesta should be acting stupid
I totally agree that C7 should be the winner of the 2012 Ballon D because he deserves it and we should not pretend in our minds that is Messi who is going to win which we all know who is going to win. I wish you the BEST C7 you are the best
Omg, Pedro ought to way better than this.
i thought the beauty of football and that of clubs of different countries was to not let in bias. CR is really a good player but how do you measure a center forwards role in foot ball???
1. Goals? Messi has scored more than expectations and has won matches single handed. As you said no other barca player was able to score 15 . Even then barca won 3 cups this year. The defeat in champions league semi proves "its really hard for barca to win when he is not scoring.
2. Assists? well on that ground you can only compare him Ozil The leader in assists. One can never mention cristiano in that list. And how could one say barca plays for him when the most assists scored are from realmadrid player?
Ronaldo is much more better than Messi,because he came down from ENGLAND to SPAIN and collected world best player,which no England has collected and scored 55 goals in REAL MADRID
messi is mir player who has par football history ...no doubt to be won for the 4th he art ball row
I know for sure that Messi deserves it.
Dear all Fans
i just want to say that if Messi does not win the title of best player this season it will be a great dishonesty in the football world lets just see if we copare messi V ronaldo messi is in a better position coz his club and his national team are in better positions than ronaldo club and national as we see Argintina national team is in 3rd position in the world and C ronaldo national team is very down. it clears that messi has done better than C ronaldo in both club an natoinal teams.
Attention PLease
As we all see last matchs of C ronaldo in la liga c ronaldo is used to get yellow card in every match instead of scoring for madrid i think he has recenlty received 5-6 cards and lets see messi against him he is used to double score for barca in the last 6-7 mathcs
thanks
c.ronaldo will win the best player in the world 2013 :p
hi guys
i want to say somthing never said before first there are no comprasion between cr7 and (little messi) big diffrence between them messi has broken all the records and receved all types of medals trophies and cups ect (cr7 have just little you can count in fingers ) how people comparing cr7 with( invesible little master and all record breaker)
The world best most be given to barcelona star messi bcos he have the quality to win it 4rm Omo yaro.
as we all know messi is best he is the magical he is the great he is the golden boy and also the break up the records the still ronaldo dont break it he have the most sccor he is a record now and 3 years ago that he win and yhis year cuz i am a muslim i bless that he will win but other side ronaldo ok he is gud in his culb he dont have any records he dont have any big soccer just the toraphy of his team is not important and messi have free kicks agent the best gosl keeper so dont worry barca we wish for both inesta and messi to win it inshallah
messi will win
The rival between l.messi andCR7 are too close,ronald is helpn his team,he won league wt his effort,likewise messi dd d samething,messi was there last season whn ronald net 40goals dt has never happn in laliga,d same ds season,100points 4 r.madrid wt his effort,likewise messi record ds year.messi game in barca is at easy wt d likes of d best midfieder in the world,i may said is family team and his childhood team as wel compare Cr7 who came as a stranger to the team ful of enemy and prove himself.BOTH DESERVE IT BUT,IF WE AV TO B JUST IS RONALDO AWARD
leo messi deserves this honour!
Hello Mr. Pedro..
You are totally one sided with your write up... Messi deserve to win d awrd again if we are to do it accordingly beacuse he play along with his team mate, no selfish interest in his doings to mention but a few..... To talk of Ronaldo, he is 1 of d best but if he supose not to cum during the time of messi..... Iniesta deserve the award in all respect... Let us give honour to whom honor due to..... Messi deserves it again and again.....
give it to c7
As we all know messi is undefeated unlike cr7. He should be crowned as the best footballer in the universe.
ronaldooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
ronaldooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
ronaldooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
ronaldooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
i love you ronaldo
mohammad khafi
Of- course C. Ronaldo will win this title..........There is no such a great and stylish player in this world
Ronaldo must win is always a good player in all team used to pass so what about mess just barcelona we wanna see him out of spain
Nobody can top messi he is the ruler of his game😋