The Ballon d’Or is not always given to the most deserving player
In the world of football the Ballon d’Or is considered to be the most prestigious individual award that a single player can receive as this validates all of the contributions and performances that a player has made throughout an entire year. Playing consistently at a high level for an entire year is not an easy task to do as anyone can be affected by a number of factors that hamper their performances.
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In the past 12 months there have not been any more influential players than C.Ronaldo, Lionel Messi and Manuel Neuer. Each and every one of these performers has made their presence felt in one way or another, whether this may be with their respective clubs or their nations. Their accomplishments and contributions that they have made cannot go unnoticed in any way but there is one of them that has made a bigger splash in a playing position that usually does not receive as much credit as it deserves.
"“I’m proud just to be one of the candidates for the Ballon d’Or. The other two players are global brands in their own right and maybe for that reason have an advantage.”-Manuel NeuerSource: Goal"
This was a statement released by Bayern Munich’s Manuel Neuer as he stated that his chances of winning the next edition of the Ballon d’Or are hampered due to the worldwide fan base and reach that Lionel Messi and C.Ronaldo have.
Manuel Neuer does a have a point as this award is not always given to the player that reached the most impressive feats or completed the most outstanding achievements in that respective period of time.
Looking back at the 2010 Ballon d’Or which was won by Lionel Messi, this is an ideal example of what Manuel Neuer is trying to point out as Wesley Sneijder was the most deserving player to receive the award but the Dutchman had to settle with a 4th spot.
Wesley Sneijder was the best player in Inter Milan during the season of 2009-10 as he helped the Italian club win the Italian League, Coppa Italia and UEFA Champions League as well as pushing Netherlands to the finals of the 2010 World Cup.
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Lionel Messi on the other hand lifted the Spanish League and the FIFA Club World Cup title with Barcelona.
The Ballon d’Or expected to be given to the most outstanding player during a specific period of time and even though Lionel Messi is the overall better player, he simply did not accomplish more than what Sneijder did during that year.
C.Ronaldo and Lionel Messi are the favorites on lifting the individual award which is going to be given out in January of 2015 but even though they have been mind-blowing in their own way, Manuel Neuer played one step above them not only for his club but for his country and will still probably have to settle with a 3rd spot.
Certain players have a superstar status and this is a factor that should not affect which players receive an award. Another evidence of this is the 2014 FIFA Golden Ball World Cup prize which was given to Messi despite Thomas Muller and James Rodriguez scoring more goals and providing more assists than the star of Barcelona.