From its inception in 1991, only one defender won FIFA’s World Player of the Year award. It’s been a similar situation in the Ballon d’Or awards, were a goalkeeper was named once and defenders were named three times in a history which stretches back to 1956. Since 2008, two men have been recognised as the greatest players in the world; Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi – with Messi now standing alone as the undisputed best. Where do they both reside?
The grand names of Barcelona and Real Madrid also help Spain’s cause in attracting the truly world class players (or in Barcelona’s cause, developing them) to La Liga. But this is not a new thing; they always have done. Names like Cruyff, Di Stefano, Maradona, Ronaldo, Zidane and Ronaldinho have all wore their colours. Indeed, a massive 20-winner’s of the Ballon ‘dOr either played for, or went onto play for the two La Liga giants. Money and the glamour of representing these two famous clubs are also factors why they are many a world class player’s choice of location – and location is probably another major factor. Yes, the ‘great’ British weather also puts the Premier League at a big disadvantage when it comes to signing world stars. Sad as it may sound, how many times have you heard of foreign players preferring warmer climes and complaining about our weather?
As stated earlier, the Premier League is home to some amazingly talented players and in the past, the league (with the help from Sky) touted some of these players as the world’s ‘best’. But the likes of Gerrard, Drogba, Torres and Lampard have all passed their peak. Until Wayne Rooney consistently performs against bigger clubs during big games, and on the international stage, he too will remain below the ‘true great’ level. There is potential that a current crop could make the leap – the likes of David Silva, Luis Saurez, Mata and Aguero. But time will tell if they a) make that final step-up a notch, then b) not leave the league for Spain (or elsewhere) as Ronaldo and Fabregas did, and Tevez wants to do.
With the current cream of world football in Messi, Ronaldo, Xavi, Iniesta, Kaka, David Villa and Alonso all lighting-up La Liga, the Premier League lacks any true world greats – but then, when was it any different?
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