The 10 Ballon d’Or 2009 Finalists

By: Daryl | November 30th, 2009

The Ballon d’Or shortlist just got shorter. There were originally 30 players in contention, but the various European journalists have voted and now we’re down to a list of 10 players.

Those players are:

Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal, Manchester United and Real Madrid)
Didier Drogba (Côte d’Ivoire, Chelsea)
Samuel Eto’o (Cameroon, Barcelona and Inter Milan)
Steven Gerrard (England, Liverpool)
Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Sweden, Inter Milan and Barcelona)
Andres Iniesta (Spain, Barcelona)
Kaka (Brazil, Milan Milan and Real Madrid)
Lionel Messi (Argentina, Barcelona)
Wayne Rooney (England, Manchester United)
Xavi (Spain, Barcelona)

First thing that strikes me is that there are precisely zero defenders or goalkeepers on this shortlist. Apparently we live in a golden age of attacking talent, and there will be ten goals scored in every game from here on out. Or maybe the spotlight just shines more brightly on attacking players.

You won’t be surprised to read that Leo Messi is more or less the favourite. But his Barcelona teammates Andres Iniesta and Xavi would also make worthy winners. Even current Golden Ball holder Cristiano Ronaldo wouldn’t be a horrible choice.

We’ll find out on Tuesday, December 1st when France Football announces Leo Messi the winner.

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Category: World Football

Tags: Andres Iniesta, Ballon dOr, Leo Messi, World Football, World Soccer, Xavi

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• Helge |  November 30th, 2009 at 11:57 am

  
  
  

  6 hours to go…

  My wish:
  1. Messi
  2. Xavi
  3. Iniesta
  4. CR
  5. Eto’o
  6. Ibra
  7. Kaka
  8. Gerrard
  9. Rooney
  10. Drogba

  But apart from the top4, I couldn’t really make a justified ranking by myself.

  Nevertheless, if the rumours are true and CR finished 2nd, that’s not fair, with all due respect to CR. His current form is already better than last year’s, but last season is the main reference for the Ballon d’Or 09.
  Certainly, CR won it last year due to the 07/08 season, not his injury-prone and rather quiet start to the 08/09 season.

  Posted from Germany

  

• Mike |  November 30th, 2009 at 12:02 pm

  
  
  

  Barcelona won everything there was to win last season, and did it in style….

  1. Messi
  2. Xavi
  3. Iniesta

  Even Henry should have gotten more credit for what he and Eto’o did with Barca last season….

  Posted from United States

  

• Sarah |  November 30th, 2009 at 3:42 pm

  
  
  

  How does Gerrard get nominated and not Torres?

  Posted from United States

  

• Marcus |  December 1st, 2009 at 3:57 am

  
  
  

  Gerrard and Rooney are not in the best 10 players in the world imo

  Posted from United States

  

• ish |  December 1st, 2009 at 7:52 am

  
  
  

  1. messi
  2. iniesta
  3. c.ronaldo
  4. xavi
  5. ibra

  the rest who cares. Those were the best players in the world this year/last season.

  Posted from United States

  

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