Men’s shortlists for FIFA Ballon d’Or 2013 revealed

[Chainsaw]

I would like Messi to do a calma, calma celebration for the Madrid press.

For that you need a douchebag face which Messi is lacking.

 

[Alik]

 

[Catorce]

Haha the one he hit was like 'What? Did he just...? What?'

 

[suckabov]

Stoichkov talked about the deadline extension after the Golden Boot gala and, not very subtly, implied that FIFA and UEFA are actively trying to prevent Messi from winning it again. It is indeed a bit funny that FIFA stated that they "have nothing to hide" regarding the extension but still refused to go public with the 15 November voting results. Also, apparently some journalists were asked by FIFA to not go public with any of their votes until the finalists are officially announced, to "protect the credibility of the award". As if that helped it. Not to mention that other journalists have already publicly talked about whom they voted for.

 

[darthvader7888]

It's looking more and more like FIFA simply fell for Ronaldo's bitching and whining.

Imagine his reaction if he doesn't win it. Especially if Messi wins it

 

[BarcaGirl]

Benito Floro (ex-Madrid coach) “Ballon d'Or? I voted Ronaldo with 5 points, Iniesta with 3 points, and Xavi with 1 point.” [la xarxa]

 

[Semi-Neutral]

^wut

Iniesta and Xavi??

 

[Janxy]

Andrej Stare(Journalist who votes from Slovenia): Ronaldo 5, Ribery 3, Cavani 1.
He explained:

I chose Ronaldo because he is to my taste - as a soccer player and as a man of the pitch. I was told that it was he who most promotes and motivates teammates. He's a little extravagant, but currently the largest professional. His goals are a masterpiece and there is currently no faster player and a better shooter on the planet.
I liked Ribery since 2006, when he was unexpectedly admitted to the French National Team for the World Cup in Germany. He is a central player in Bayern team. A team that has wingers such as Ribery and Robben almost can not lose. Cavani warmed my heart as a player of Napoli, PSG and his international team. His strength and perseverance exceed the South American habits. In short, a great player.
Messi was sidelined this year somewhat into the background, as he was a long time injured. He showed brilliant games, but it was in my opinion not enough to rank among the top three. In the national team he did not yet find himself because the rest of Argentine professionals do not all agree to play for Messi.

I translated his quotes with google translate and then corrected the words whick were not translated correctly from this article:

 

[Flavia]

". In the national team he did not yet find himself because the rest of Argentine professionals do not all agree to play for Messi."

He hasnt seen Messi playing with Argetina in the qualifications for the wc, it seems. Messi was actually better with Argentina than with Barça for a while.

 

[suckabov]

Stare voted for CR7 last year, so no surprise there. In fact I would be surprised if Messi got many votes from the journalists at all, he didn't get so many votes from them in previous years either.

 

[raskolnikov]

Journalists are always hipstervoting, instead of going with the flow they pick the guy they think will show the world they have true objective football knowledge.
Thats why they voted for cannavaro in 2006 for example instead of Dinho, Henry or Zidane.
Smug self-righteous bastards.

 

[CatalinR10]

Benito Floro (ex-Madrid coach) “Ballon d'Or? I voted Ronaldo with 5 points, Iniesta with 3 points, and Xavi with 1 point.” [la xarxa]

 

[Luftstalag14]

Alright folks, this could very well be a rumor/hoax, but I am reading that according to Enrique Maques, the host of "Tiki Taka", a show on a Spanish TV channel, the results of the BD have pretty much been decided as the following:

1st place: CR7 with 44.4%
2nd place: Messi with 20.3%
3rd place: Ribery with 15.4%
4th place: Iniesta with 4.9%
5th place: Ibra with 3.7%
6th place: Xavi with 3.7%
7th place: Falco with 3.7% (three way tie)
8th place: Pirlo with 3.1%
9th place: Lewa with 0.9%
10th place: Neymar with ?%

Apparently these are subject to some minor changes since the voting has been extended to November 29th, but according to him, CR7 is clearly the winner.

Not sure how credible this is. But looks too detailed to be completely made up.

 

[suckabov]

It's obviously bs.

 

[Pepe Silvia]

If that is indeed a bs story, that Enrique Macques guy needs to get punched right in his face.