Matt Oldfield
Few could argue with the final three-man shortlist for this year’s prestigious Ballon d’Or award. While some may bemoan the omission of English Premier League stars such as David Silva or Robin van Persie, La Liga trio Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Xavi stand out as the major talents of the last footballing year. Their clubs, Barcelona and Real Madrid, have excelled during the period. The trio’s shortlisting may be predictable, but as the top individual award in world football, that should be the case. Outstanding players do just that, they stand out.
To most of the footballing world, the 2011 Ballon d’Or will play out as the two-way fight that has lit up television screens across the planet this year. The modesty and grace of Messi versus the perceived arrogance and power of Ronaldo has made for one of the game’s greatest ever rivalries. La Liga has long since descended into a weekly shootout between the two; last season, each managed 53 goals. So far this season, the Argentine has 27, while the Portuguese has 21. Both have scored a remarkable four hat-tricks already.
For Ronaldo, recent club rejuvenation could play a major role. While Barcelona have been somewhat shaky at times this season, Mourinho’s Real Madrid side have been all but unstoppable. Saturday’s 3-1 defeat to the Catalan giants aside, Ronaldo and co. have been La Liga’s dominant force, and in the Champions League Los Blancos won all six of their group games, netting 19 times. The Portuguese forward has been the focal point of an exciting and fluid Real Madrid. Significantly, Ronaldo’s game appears to be evolving somewhat; seven domestic assists this season show signs of a team player.
Arguments relating to all-round game, however, could still swing the decision in Messi’s favour. He is, without doubt, the more complete player. As well as scoring goals, the Argentinian wizard creates them in abundance (24 assists last season and 14 already this year). Dropping deeper to find space, Messi is often to be seen threading visionary balls through for the likes of David Villa, Alexis Sanchez and Pedro. Ronaldo, on the other hand, remains a more selfish and direct attacker, using his pace and finishing to destroy defences singlehandedly.
Lack of international success will not help the cause of either player. Messi remained quiet and goalless as his Argentinian side won their group but crashed out of the 2010 World Cup in a 4-0 quarter-final thrashing by Germany; Ronaldo looked livelier but scored just one as Portugal lost to Spain in the second round. Argentina and Portugal are both hugely talented but vastly underachieving teams. To cement their reputations in the history books, Messi and Ronaldo must steer their national sides to success soon.
With this in mind, Xavi, the outside bet, arguably the most gifted passer of his generation, has fared better. There are several reasons to think the diminutive Spanish schemer is deserving of this award. Xavi is the heartbeat of the two best teams in the world, the most recent winners of football’s two greatest competitions: Barcelona and Spain. For both club and country, the midfielder has been nothing less than brilliant, a model, consistent professional at the peak of his powers.
At the 2010 World Cup, Xavi upheld a magnificent 89% pass success rate, as his national side added to their Euro 2008 title. In the 2011 Champions League final, Xavi and team-mate Andres Iniesta taught Manchester United a crushing lesson in sublime possession football. The master of the ‘tiki taka’, the veteran Spaniard has provided audiences throughout the world with football that they will never forget.
Xavi’s game is all about the little touches; he is not always the man to play the defence-splitting ball, and he is rarely the man to steal the limelight. But his influence at the heart of the Barcelona and Spain midfield units is unquestionable; he is the dictator of every play. Always one step ahead, his vision is breathtaking.
Almost more than this year-specific award, though, what Xavi deserves is recognition for his career and his incredible contribution to the beautiful game. But 2011 has been the year of Messi and Ronaldo, and it is only right that the Ballon d’Or should reflect this dominance. Both players have been extraordinary during this calendar year, but the award could well come down to big-game temperament.
Concerns linger over Ronaldo’s ability to up his game, especially following another limp performance in Saturday’s El Clasico. Messi, on the other hand, revels under the pressure. In last season’s tense Champions League semi-final against Real Madrid, the Argentinian produced a phenomenal solo goal out of nothing to win the tie. This and Messi’s headed goal and all-round performance in the final against Manchester United confirmed his status as the world’s best. For now.
