Friday, October 12, 2007
For Club and Country
It’s that time of year again, the nominations for the premier FIFA award are upon us.
This time, there’s no World Cup or European Championship to skew the selection process, so the focus has predictably shifted to the 2007 Champions League. The vast majority of the players on the list competed in the latter stages of that competition.
Kaka seems to have been installed as the overwhelming favourite, and one can see why. He was magisterial for AC Milan during their march to the final in Athens (although it’s a little strange that Kaka’s partner in the Milan three-quarter line, Clarence Seedorf, has failed to make the shortlist. Seedorf’s contributions were vital at times as well).
There are some other curious omissions. For Francesco Totti – basically a converted midfielder – to secure the European “Golden Boot” was quite an achievement, yet he’s absent from the list of thirty. As is Zlatan Ibrahimovic, an outstanding performer for Internazionale, Sevilla’s prolific Fredi Kanoute, and the consistently impressive Cesc Fabregas of Arsenal.
I tend to think that FIFA’s award should reflect performances at both club and national level, and for that reason I’d be inclined to give this year’s gong to Lionel Messi over Kaka. Although Kaka was understandably rested for this year’s Copa America – undisputably the major international football competition of the year, despite its clumsy format and lamentable “guest appearances” – Messi was there, and starred. His performance in the semi-final against Mexico, capped off by a sublime individual goal, was especially memorable.
And he has started the current season in magnificent fettle for Barcelona, largely making up for the mercurial form of Ronaldinho.
Kaka may have been the king of the Champions League, but the most deserving recipient of this year’s award, in my opinion, is Messi.
This time, there’s no World Cup or European Championship to skew the selection process, so the focus has predictably shifted to the 2007 Champions League. The vast majority of the players on the list competed in the latter stages of that competition.
Kaka seems to have been installed as the overwhelming favourite, and one can see why. He was magisterial for AC Milan during their march to the final in Athens (although it’s a little strange that Kaka’s partner in the Milan three-quarter line, Clarence Seedorf, has failed to make the shortlist. Seedorf’s contributions were vital at times as well).
There are some other curious omissions. For Francesco Totti – basically a converted midfielder – to secure the European “Golden Boot” was quite an achievement, yet he’s absent from the list of thirty. As is Zlatan Ibrahimovic, an outstanding performer for Internazionale, Sevilla’s prolific Fredi Kanoute, and the consistently impressive Cesc Fabregas of Arsenal.
I tend to think that FIFA’s award should reflect performances at both club and national level, and for that reason I’d be inclined to give this year’s gong to Lionel Messi over Kaka. Although Kaka was understandably rested for this year’s Copa America – undisputably the major international football competition of the year, despite its clumsy format and lamentable “guest appearances” – Messi was there, and starred. His performance in the semi-final against Mexico, capped off by a sublime individual goal, was especially memorable.
And he has started the current season in magnificent fettle for Barcelona, largely making up for the mercurial form of Ronaldinho.
Kaka may have been the king of the Champions League, but the most deserving recipient of this year’s award, in my opinion, is Messi.
Comments:
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I was going to go for Kaka until I realised the form Messi's been in since returning from injury in late February and that he didn't skip the Copa America (and was excellent in it). He's been going at almost a goal per game for Barcelona this year - phenomenal form.
But I feel sorry for Kaka because if Messi stays fit I can see him consistently being the best player in the world for the next decade, just about. And if it was for the 2006-2007 SEASON (which I think makes more sense - why have an annual award covering two seasons), I'd go for Kaka, put it that way. So I'd be happy for him to win this and get the recognition he deserves.
But I feel sorry for Kaka because if Messi stays fit I can see him consistently being the best player in the world for the next decade, just about. And if it was for the 2006-2007 SEASON (which I think makes more sense - why have an annual award covering two seasons), I'd go for Kaka, put it that way. So I'd be happy for him to win this and get the recognition he deserves.
# posted by 
: October 12, 2007 at 1:39 PM
: October 12, 2007 at 1:39 PM
Let Kaka take this one. He practically handed Milan their 7th CL title ( with help from Seedorf, Pirlo and Inzaghi of course). Messi will win it many more times in the future and though he has been superb all year, he wasnt quite inspirational enough to land a trophy.
BTW some of the ommissions and commisions are a joke. Why no Totti and why Thuram & Henry?
BTW some of the ommissions and commisions are a joke. Why no Totti and why Thuram & Henry?
# posted by : October 12, 2007 at 9:58 PM
: October 12, 2007 at 9:58 PM
No Totti... as much as I hate him, the golden boot winner of Europe surely deserves a place on that list. I'm sorry but Thuram and Cannavaro have been terrible in the last season and do not deserve a place there, I feel Cech is there only to have another keeper there too, he's done nothing special. Ibrahimavic and Crespo should probably both be there too, their form for Inter has been excellent.
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# posted by : October 13, 2007 at 3:32 AM
: October 13, 2007 at 3:32 AM << Home
