Ballon d'Or: A Gift Or A Curse?

[Genius.]

Ballon d'Or: A Gift Or A Curse?

Goal.com looks at past winners and weather or not they can live up to their awards. Most of the time, after winning the award, the winner has a poor season after that.


Ten seasons, ten winners, seven nationalities from three leagues. Goal.com takes a retrospective look at the ten previous winners of the Ballon d'Or and the aftermath of their accolades...

http://www.goal.com/en/news/1717/editorial/2008/11/29/987723/ballon-dor-a-gift-or-a-curse-part-one

[aadil]

interesting. But Ronaldo is much younger than the other guys. He'll be great for years to come

[Fern9do]

Not suprising, it's highly unlikely for a player to keep up such a high level of performance in back to back seasons. Even Ronaldo, Torres and Adebayor(to name a few) are struggling to match their form from last season.

[Genius.]

Worth a read.


Ballon d’Or: Big-Game Flop Ronaldo May Never Be An All-Time Great


Goal.com’s Carlo Garganese explains why Cristiano Ronaldo is a worthy winner of this year’s Ballon d’Or, but argues that the Portuguese may never be an all-time great…

I have been accused by some readers in the past of being somewhat anti-Cristiano Ronaldo so, to clear things up right away, I will issue an immediate reply to these fallacious allegations by declaring that the 23-year-old is a deserved winner of this year’s prestigious Ballon d’Or trophy.

Why is he a deserved winner? There are two major reasons. First of all, there is no denying that Ronaldo had a quite astonishing 2007/08 season. Forty-two goals in all competitions, top-scorer in England, the Champions League and European club football, as well as a conqueror of the Premier League and Champions League – this all amounts to a winning hand.

The second major reason, which is just as important as the first and has been almost completely overlooked so far, is the fact that there are no other valid candidates. The disastrous performances of Italian and Spanish teams in Europe last season means that, based on their clubs only, there are no players from these countries who deserve to win the Golden Ball. This leaves just English-based players, and let’s be honest no one did more from these shores than Ronaldo.

Thus the only team members with a realistic chance of wrestling the trophy from Ronaldo are those from Euro 2008 winners Spain. Iker Casillas was heroic for Real Madrid on their way to the Primera Division, and he was also decisive at the Euros, particularly in the penalty-shootout win over Italy. However, he has destroyed his chances with a dreadful start to the current club campaign. Marcos Senna was undoubtedly the best player at Euro 2008, but it is rare for a defensive midfielder to win the award, especially when they play for little Villarreal.

Xavi doesn’t have much of a leg to stand on due to Barcelona's struggles last term, David Villa’s importance at the Euros was over-stated (he did absolutely nothing after the group stages), which leaves just the goalscorer in the final, Fernando Torres, who in my opinion is probably the best placed to challenge Ronaldo.

So there you have it, Ronaldo will win the Ballon d’Or this season, as much due to his outstanding achievements as to the fact there are virtually no candidates standing against him. I would compare this to Barack Obama’s election as President of the United States. He won, not just because he was a refreshingly exceptional contender, but also because he had an old no-hoper of a 72-year-old in John McCain running against him.

So Ronaldo will go down in the history books as a winner of the Ballon d’Or, but will he be remembered as one of the all-time greats of the game?

Of course, at the age of just 23, it is impossible to tell just yet. But one thing is for certain, and that is unless Ronaldo starts shining against the top teams/players, and in the big matches and international tournaments, then he can never be mentioned in the same breath as some of the legends of days gone by.

Is Ronaldo a big-game flop? Based on what we have seen from his career so far (and who knows, this could change), the answer is most certainly leaning towards yes.

The Portuguese’s only saving grace, out of dozens of important matches, was his goal in the Champions League final against Chelsea, a game in which he was anonymous for large spells and, having missed a penalty in the shootout, would have been the villain had John Terry not slipped on his match winning spot-kick.

The idea of Ronaldo freezing on the big occasion is not a myth, it is a reality dating back almost five years now. In the Champions League, Ronaldo has offered pathetic displays in successive semi-finals against Milan and Barcelona, embarrassingly overshadowed in both legs by ***a and Lionel Messi, and owned by Rino Gattuso and Gianluca Zambrotta respectively. In 2004/05, Ronaldo barely got a kick against a still-brilliant 36-year-old Paolo Maldini when Milan eliminated United in the first knockout round. I was at both games, and it was emphatic.

Much has been said about Ronaldo’s exploits in the Champions League but, what has been almost completely forgotten, is that only as recently as 2007, even the English media, who have hyped the player to shameless proportions, regarded Ronaldo as something of a European under-performer. Prior to Man Utd’s famous 7-1 quarter final second leg thrashing of Roma on April 10, 2007, Ronaldo had scored just one goal in 34 Champions League appearances, 28 of these in a United shirt.

Internationally, Ronaldo’s record is not too smart otherwise. He was to blame for Portugal’s shock 1-0 defeat to Greece in the final of Euro 2004 when he missed an easy one-on-one chance. In the 2006 World Cup, when the big knockout matches against England (quarter final) and France (semi final) came along, Ronaldo went missing. At Euro 2008 it was much of the same. When it really mattered in the last eight against Germany, Ronaldo disappeared once again. For those who argue that Portugal are not a big side, well there wasn’t a more talented team on their half of the draw in Austria and Switzerland.

Ronaldo has scored 21 goals in 59 international appearances - a decent record. But take a closer look at who these goals were against. Latvia, Estonia, Russia (2), Luxembourg, Slovakia, Estonia, Greece, Saudi Arabia (2), Iran, Azerbaijan (2), Kazakhstan (2), Belgium (2), Armenia, Czech Republic, Poland, and Holland. With the exception of the Netherlands, it is no coincidence that Ronaldo has failed to score against the superpowers of world football – the Brazil, Argentina, Italy, England, France, Spain and Germany’s of this world. Only a fortnight ago, Ronaldo was quite abysmal as Portugal were thrashed 6-2 by Brazil in a friendly, and he became so frustrated he resorted to a host of dangerous tackles.

Ronaldo is a deserved winner of this year’s Golden Ball, but unless he starts shining in the big games against the better players, he will not qualify as a legend at the end of his career. Consistency over a season is a quality that is often underplayed when deciding the Ballon d’Or winner, but the greats are remembered for performing on the big stage and when it really matters. Would Diego Maradona be regarded as the greatest of all time if he had led Napoli to the Serie A title, but had flopped at the 1986 World Cup? Would Pele be considered as a great had he scored his mythical 1281 goals, but had done nothing at the 1958 and 1970 World Cups?

The answer in both cases is no.

What are your views on this topic? Do you agree that Ronaldo is a deserved winner of the Ballon d’Or? Do you also agree that he may never be considered as an all-time great? Is he a big-game flop? Goal.com wants to know what YOU think…

Carlo Garganese

[aadil]

isn't it better to include the link rather.

[SuPaStA]

I think its better reading everything on one site instead of having to open up new links.

[Genius.]

isn't it better to include the link rather.

Goal.com sometimes loads long, so i thought it would be better to just paste the article.

http://www.goal.com/en/news/1717/editorial/2008/11/29/987937/ballon-dor-big-game-flop-ronaldo-may-never-be-an-all-time-great

[Stickfigure]

Dumbest article ever. He's only 23 yet they're saying he won't be a football great. He's got atleast another 10 years of soccer ahead of him.

[SuPaStA]

They saying he wont be a football great if he doesnt start actually making an impact in big games.

[Genius.]

Well he is proving that he isnt as good as everybody thought he was. I dont think he will be a football great. He flopped on Sunday again in the City Clash. And i mean come on, if he cant shine in a game like that - then how is he too shine on the big stage.

Heres a question. If Ronaldo played for Liverpool last season, do you think he would have scored so many goals and won so many titles?

[aadil]

people expect Ronaldo to be at 110% in every match. It's ridiculous. Give the guy a break.

He deserves the European Footballer of the Year and World Footballer of the Year award. Hands down. Give him his due. And leave the future alone. I don't claim he's one of the greatest yet, but I believe he has the potential to be.

Here's the test:
On any given day who's the best footballer in the world: Ronaldo
Over the past season, who performed the best: Ronaldo

Love him or hate him, you have to admit he's skills are breathtaking.

[Genius.]

I also believe that Ronaldo has alot of talent.

I disagree with you about:

On any given day who's the best footballer in the world: Messi
Over the past season, who performed the best: Ronaldo did...

...but as lots of experts are saying, it doesnt matter if you score a hundred goals against your Wigans, Boltons, Readings etc

Its the big games that count, the big games make you the worlds best - and Ronaldo is a flop on the big stage. He performed in ONE big game in his whole career - which was the CL final, but he still missed the penalty.

He has played in so many big matches, and just fades. Its cos when he comes up against tough opposition - his countless step dont do much for his game.

[aadil]

Its the big games that count, the big games make you the worlds best - and Ronaldo is a flop on the big stage. He performed in ONE big game in his whole career - which was the CL final, but he still missed the penalty.

He has played in so many big matches, and just fades. Its cos when he comes up against tough opposition - his countless step dont do much for his game.

That' one way of looking at it. I don't know whether I should say this but would we (United) have won the league or the UCL without Ronaldo. I think not. So while you have a point by saying he doesn't perform on the big stage, he played a monumental role in securing the 2 titles.

When it comes to big games, the top defenders mark him out of the game. That doesn't mean he doesn't contribute, because the added pressure on him opens space for other players.

Of course until he produces on a really big stage, he won't be regarded as great.

PS. While Messi is enormously talented, I don't think I have to remind you that he's won NOTHING with Barcelona or Argentina.

[aadil]

Heres a question. If Ronaldo played for Liverpool last season, do you think he would have scored so many goals and won so many titles?

Actually I think he would have. With Gerrard and Torres, they'd have been dynamite. Cry Liverpool fans Cry. You'll never have enough money to buy the best players and even if you do, your club's not prestigious enough to attract them. :D:D:D:D:D:D:D

[Genius.]

That' one way of looking at it. I don't know whether I should say this but would we (United) have won the league or the UCL without Ronaldo. I think not. So while you have a point by saying he doesn't perform on the big stage, he played a monumental role in securing the 2 titles.

When it comes to big games, the top defenders mark him out of the game. That doesn't mean he doesn't contribute, because the added pressure on him opens space for other players.

Of course until he produces on a really big stage, he won't be regarded as great.

PS. While Messi is enormously talented, I don't think I have to remind you that he's won NOTHING with Barcelona or Argentina.

See thats where you are wrong.

Messi has won the double with Barca - league and Champions league when he was 19.

For Argentina he has won a gold medal at the olympics as well as reaching the Cop America final.

Messi is know as a big game performer. At 19 he scored a hat trick against Real Madrid.

I also believe that Ronaldo contributed alot to United winning. At times, it looked like he was United.

But do u think Ronaldo would have played like that if he never had an in form United team supporting him? Would he be able to perform like that if he played for Everton?

[aadil]

See thats where you are wrong.

Messi has won the double with Barca - league and Champions league when he was 19.

For Argentina he has won a gold medal at the olympics as well as reaching the Cop America final.

Messi is know as a big game performer. At 19 he scored a hat trick against Real Madrid.
Yes I know he won that, but was he the star of the team? NO, he was a squad member not the star player.


But do u think Ronaldo would have played like that if he never had an in form United team supporting him? Would he be able to perform like that if he played for Everton?
Yes he would perform brilliantly but obviously not at that level. Cos Everton have *** players apart from Arteta and Cahill (on his good days).

[aadil]

Anyway, if you look at the past winners, the winner won some big trophy that year in addition to playing brilliantly. That rules out MEsSi

[SuPaStA]

PS. While Messi is enormously talented, I don't think I have to remind you that he's won NOTHING with Barcelona or Argentina.
Lol the guy has a olympic gold medal,champs league and la liga titles under his belt.

[aadil]

Lol the guy has a olympic gold medal,champs league and la liga titles under his belt.

We talking as the star of the team / main contributor.

Do you know how many winners medals Gary Neville, Tomasz Kuschak, Raimond Van Der Gouw, Nicky Butt, have? Does that make them great players?

[aadil]

messi won 1 champs league and 1 la liga title when he was 19. How many games did he play? How many goals did he score?

[SuPaStA]

messi won 1 champs league and 1 la liga title when he was 19. How many games did he play? How many goals did he score?

He scored 17 goals that season and scored a hat-trick against Real Madrid!!

[Genius.]

messi won 1 champs league and 1 la liga title when he was 19. How many games did he play? How many goals did he score?

There you are wrong again. He wasnt just a squad member. He single handedly tore Chelsea apart in the CL. He was man of the match. I know this, cos i have the DVD :D He was the next best player, next to Ronaldinho.

Messi was HUGE in that year, until he got injured.

[aadil]

There you are wrong again. He wasnt just a squad member. He single handedly tore Chelsea apart in the CL. He was man of the match. I know this, cos i have the DVD :D He was the next best player, next to Ronaldinho.

Messi was HUGE in that year, until he got injured.

Seriously. I don't remember that but I'll take your word for it.

I still stand by my point that Messi (the SUPERSTAR) is yet to arrive i.e. He needs to LEAD Barca to the Champs league title or at least La Liga.

La Liga is much easier for Barca and Real Madrid to win, than for the premiership for United, Arsenal or Chelsea. I only count genuine contenders so the likes of Villa, Man City, Liverpool, etc. can't be included. :D:D:D:D:D

[Genius.]

Seriously. I don't remember that but I'll take your word for it.

I still stand by my point that Messi (the SUPERSTAR) is yet to arrive i.e. He needs to LEAD Barca to the Champs league title or at least La Liga.

La Liga is much easier for Barca and Real Madrid to win, than for the premiership for United, Arsenal or Chelsea. I only count genuine contenders so the likes of Villa, Man City, Liverpool, etc. can't be included. :D:D:D:D:D

You on a roll today. Cos that was also wrong :D

How can you say La Liga is easier? When La Liga has more depth and strength lower down compared to the premiership. You can never know who will win in La Liga - but thats a different debate for another day.

How can you say Messi is yet to arrive? Do you think that the way he is playing now only happened this season? He has been playing like this season after season. Its just that everybody is starting to notice here in South Africa only now.

i would even go as far as to say that Messi played better than Ronaldo last season. When u have time, just analyse the two players - and what they bring to the game and what they do with the ball. You will see Messi has always been better.

Remember Messi took Barca to a semi final of the CL, even tho they were playing very poor last year. He carried the team to the semis.

[aadil]

You on a roll today. Cos that was also wrong :D

How can you say La Liga is easier? When La Liga has more depth and strength lower down compared to the premiership. You can never know who will win in La Liga - but thats a different debate for another day.
You're wrong. How many teams have won the La Liga title in the last 10 or 15 years. 3 or 4. I think 3. Barca, Real, Valencia. So same as England, no shocker. Also, were Valencia genuine consistent contenders back before their slump?


How can you say Messi is yet to arrive? Do you think that the way he is playing now only happened this season? He has been playing like this season after season. Its just that everybody is starting to notice here in South Africa only now.

i would even go as far as to say that Messi played better than Ronaldo last season. When u have time, just analyse the two players - and what they bring to the game and what they do with the ball. You will see Messi has always been better.

Remember Messi took Barca to a semi final of the CL, even tho they were playing very poor last year. He carried the team to the semis.
I think you're missing my point. I acknowledge Messi is a brilliant player. But ask anyone who knows anything about the game. You have to lead a team to trophies to elevate yourself. So I'll wait and see if MesSi can do it. According to many ex players, Barca are apparently playing the best in their history under the saviour 'Pep'.

[aadil]

okay nice chat. need to finish some stuff before going home.

[Genius.]

You're wrong. How many teams have won the La Liga title in the last 10 or 15 years. 3 or 4. I think 3. Barca, Real, Valencia. So same as England, no shocker. Also, were Valencia genuine consistent contenders back before their slump?


I think you're missing my point. I acknowledge Messi is a brilliant player. But ask anyone who knows anything about the game. You have to lead a team to trophies to elevate yourself. So I'll wait and see if MesSi can do it. According to many ex players, Barca are apparently playing the best in their history under the saviour 'Pep'.

Barca are resembling a team that dominated all competitions, thats why they saying they are playing the best in their history - but not yet.

Well Deportivo won it, Valencia won it, Real and Barca of course. Atletico won it as well.

Who has won it besides United and Chelsea in the premier league? Oh and Arsenal.

So if i use your logic, La Liga has more depth cos there has been more teams winning the league. ;)

Cheers, thx for the chat.

[Stickfigure]

So just because two teams win the title over a few years the league doesn't have depth? What about Liverpool? Or even Aston Villa aren't half bad. The way I view it is that if two teams win the championship over a few years it shows the consistency in those two teams.

[Genius.]

Ok Gary Bailey.

i was merely using aadil's logic. He said i was wrong cos only 3 teams won La Liga over the past 15 years, yet he is mistaken cos there has been 5 different teams to win the La Liga over the past 15 years.

...In England that is unherad of. It is only Chelsea and United than have dominated the game, with the exception of Arsenal.

[aadil]

did Deportivo and Atletico win the title in the last 15 years. NO.

[SuPaStA]

did Deportivo and Atletico win the title in the last 15 years. NO.


1999 - Deportivo
1996 - Atletico
:rolleyes:

[aadil]

So if i use your logic, La Liga has more depth cos there has been more teams winning the league.

The Premier League has more depth. I said it's harder for Man U, Arsenal, Chelsea to win the title than Barca and Madrid. Who's the REALISTIC contenders for La Liga, only Barca and Madrid. Who the contenders for EPL, Man U, Arsenal, Chelsea and some (but not me) might say Liverpool.

since 2 < 3, it is therefore easier for Barca and Madrid.

[aadil]

1999 - Deportivo
1996 - Atletico
:rolleyes:

okay so I'm apparently wrong. woohoo

[aadil]

my point still stands. La Liga is easier Barca and Madrid

[SuPaStA]

How does your point stand?

There are more winners of la liga in the last 15 years compared to The EPLs 3.
There are more teams who qualify for the champs league than the EPLs constant 4.

Even the fa cups in both leagues La Liga have more winners:

EPL - FA CUP - 5 different teams since 95
LA liga - Copa Del Rey - 10 different teams since 95

[aadil]

How does your point stand?

There are more winners of la liga in the last 15 years compared to The EPLs 3.
There are more teams who qualify for the champs league than the EPLs constant 4.

Even the fa cups in both leagues La Liga have more winners:

EPL - FA CUP - 5 different teams since 95
LA liga - Copa Del Rey - 10 different teams since 95

because do you think Deportivo or Atletico or any other teams beside Barca, Madrid and Valencia have any chance of winning the title. NO. Even Valencia have no chance.

[aadil]

leaving work now. Bye

[hj2k_x]

So just because two teams win the title over a few years the league doesn't have depth? What about Liverpool? Or even Aston Villa aren't half bad. The way I view it is that if two teams win the championship over a few years it shows the consistency in those two teams.

Don't bother arguing logically or coherently here. It will not get you anywhere. Rather take a cue from the trolls, and try name-calling instead. Hey, it's not mature, but some people seem to live by it.

[Genius.]

my point still stands. La Liga is easier Barca and Madrid

I thought we were having a decent conversation, did i think wrong?

U were wrong when u used your logic about how many teams won the title in England. In Spain there are more, which means the lower teams are more competitive.

Barca and Real Madrid do not have it easy at all. One only needs to look where Barca ended last season. They ended third behind Villereal.

Teams that will challenge for the title this season are

Barcelona
Real Madrid
Valencia
Villereal
Sevilla

Im tempted to say Atletico - but they had a bad start to the season.

How can u say Valenica wont challenge? They are third on the log ahead of Real Madrid. Do you watch La Liga? I dont think you do.

Teams challenging for the tilte in England over the past decade

Chelsea
United
Arsenal

I cant put Liverpool in that catergory, cos they always seem to mess their league chances up. I am hoping that Liverpool will challenge for the league this season.

Those are the facts, using your logic.