The FIFA Ballon d’Or didn’t offer up any surprises in the awards that were handed out at the ceremony. But that isn’t a bad thing, because everyone that was presented with an award deserved it and that is why they were at this prestigious event. The biggest names in football were in attendance, with the setting for the awards packed to the rafters. The event was broadcast live on Eurosport in the UK and on other channels around the world
Team of the year:
Iker Casillas
Dani Alves
Gerard Piqué
Sergio Ramos
Marcelo
Xabi Alonso
Andreas Iniesta
Xavi Hernandez
Cristiano Ronaldo
Lionel Messi
Radamel Falcao
Barcelona and Real Madrid dominated the FIFA team of the year award, with 10 of the 11 players coming from one team or the other. Out of favour Real Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas, defenders Segio Ramos and Marcelo along with Barcelona’s Dani Alves and Gerard Piqué made up the defence of the world team award.
All of them have performed exceptionally in each game that they were involved with last season and that along with a number of other reasons, is why they are in the world team.
Real Madrid’s Xabi Alonso,Barcelona’s Xavi and one of the Ballon d’Or final three, Andreas Iniesta made up the midfield. Alonso, since he left Liverpool, has picked up a number of awards and I’m sure this one is as important as the rest, even though it isn’t an individual award for him to take home.
Finally Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo and Barcelona’s Lionel Messi, along with Atletico Madrid’s prolific striker Radamel Falcao, make up the forward three in the FIFA team of the year. Ronaldo and Messi were definitely not a surprise pick, as they were short-listed for the Ballon d’Or award. Falcao was probably a surprise for some people, but for me he is as deserving to be included as the other ten players. His magnificent goal scoring record and all round outstanding performances throughout last season should have guaranteed him a spot over any other striker in the world
Coach of the year: Vicente Del Bosque
Vicente Del Bosque ensured Spain won the Euro 2012 tournament which they deserved to win without a doubt. His no nonsense managerial style ensured that the brilliant Spanish team dominated the World Cup games that they were involved in from start until finish, apart from the one slip up against Switzerland!
Del Bosque also has a fatherly side which I’m sure the Spain players appreciate when they need someone to talk to. He always wants 110% from his players every time they take to the pitch.
The Spanish coach is undeniably one of the best coaches in the world and deserved to win the award this year, not only because of the Euro 2012 triumph, but because of his work off the pitch in ensuring that all of his players were in top condition before every match. He wasn’t afraid to leave out players who people believed would make the difference on the pitch.
If Del Bosque didn’t think they would perform to the best of their standards, he would leave them out and 99 times out 100 it paid off.