Guardiola and Mourinho on Ballon D'Or Candidates

[House of Flies]

FC Barcelona coach Guardiola remained neutral in his predictions, saying simply that “there are many players on the list who deserve it”.



Counterpart Mourinho, however, was far more opinionated, and the Portuguese coach reckons that there is only one candidate worthy of the crown – his trequartista at former club Inter, Wesley Sneijder.

He commented: “I would give it to Sneijder before I give it to Iniesta. He is not a better player, but he played in the final of the World Cup and Champions League and completed the full season.

“Iniesta had a great World Cup but did not shine during the season. For me, second place should be Xavi.”

that pic screams awkward...

[Metaphysical]

Should be: Xavi or Milito (or Messi)
Will be: Sneijder or Iniesta

[La Furia]

Should be: Xavi or Milito (or Messi)
Will be: Sneijder or Iniesta

Milito? He was garbage for Argentina.

If a striker is going to get it, it can only be Forlan. However Sneijder, Xavi and Messi are ahead of Forlan.

[Myrmecophile]

Milito? He was garbage for Argentina.

If a striker is going to get it, it can only be Forlan. However Sneijder, Xavi and Messi are ahead of Forlan.

He was absolutely clutch at club level though, Inter's best player last season by far. Obviously he barely featured in the World Cup and that's why it won't be him and he's in the 'should' not 'will' column.

[MagIX]

Sneijder and Milito won all with Inter.
Some days ago Milito won 2 Uefa awards (best forward and best player of the CL),as Messi 2009.But he didn’t play the WC. Sneijder won the UFEA award as best midfielder CL and reached the WC final.
Iniesta and Xavi fantastic WC, but they won only Liga (and Iniesta with injuries).
Furlan won the Uefa cup and voted best player WC.
Messi… impressive, much more dynamic, for me the best Messi ever. WC was not so bad, he didn’t score but he played pretty well. Anyway he was in the fifa 10 best players of the WC.

I don’t know..only feeling.. ..but despite being years that Xavi deserve to win as well, despite I saw the best Messi ever (incredible performance and 47 goals !), I think they won’t win.
I really hope Iniesta, he deserve to win, but Sneijder and Milito have good chance too.

Whatever happens, for me the 3 best players in the world are in my avatar !!

[JAMAIN]

I think Xavi should get it. He had a wonderful world cup. His club form was great all year and Barca won the league. Iniesta had a non-existent league year due to injury. Sneijder may seem like the favorite to some but the fact is he was not the catalyst for winning the world cup and in a world cup year this should precede the club form...

[Huckleberry]

Yes, Xavi should get it. As a kind of a career prize...

[IbraFTW]

Yes, Xavi should get it. As a kind of a career prize...

Good one.

[DndAhead]

Unbiased as possible, I'd give it to Xavi. Sneijder was great for his team and good for his country, but was Xavi not brilliant for both? Sure, Sneijdrer played in the CL, but had one play gone differently for Barca, Xavi would have had his chance and probably ripped apart Bayern. But we have to be fair, so I can't say the footballing world OWES Xavi, but at the same time....I kinda feel, like most, he's well past due for his recognition.

I wont argue with Iniesta being mentioned as well, but thanks to injuries he didn't leave much of an impression on La Liga. WC is obviously a different story though. Messi would probably be the opposite....fantastic league season and a decent Wc.

Xavi...Messi/Sneijder...Iniesta

De Jong for getting away with a beauty on a madrid player.

Honorable mention at the very least!!!! lol

[HaiThaM-7]

It should be Messi, Xavi, or Sneijder

[Barcanista]

Messi should win, maybe it's boring for the same player to win again, but like he was from christmas time and forward he was sick. I don't think any player's ever been that good, how many hat tricks in a row did he score??? 3-4 in a row in La Liga??? But at the same time Wesley Sneijder should get an award sometime in his career, and he probably won't get another chance. Xavi deserves it too tbh, he needs one in his career aswell or it's just a disgrace. Very hard choice, but tbh I think we should be fair and give it to Messi after all.

[Rulz]

I don't think Messi should get it. Yes he was great, but he was not as good as two other players IMO.

I would give it to one of Sniejder and Xavi. Both of them were brilliant for both club and country, which IMO is really important during a WC year, and unfortunately Messi never got out of first gear with Argentina.

Top 5 IMO for last year should be:

1. Xavi
2. Sniejder
3. Messi
4. Iniesta
5. Forlan

[stokebarca]

The CL recent draw with the selection of the players in each position they regarded as the best prove the winning side always has...well, the award winners. Inter's exceptional season last term will see Sneijder win it

[Lobontzica]

[Plip]

Newspapers shit-stirring as per usual.

One shouldn't pay too much attention to these.