Four probable considerations for the Ballon d'or

Personally I would root for Iker Cassilas, but I’m not one to argue with international players, who know the game better than I do. But the point is, should Messi have won it at after all? If yes, why are strange remarks doing the rounds on the internet? And What considerations could probably be important while deciding the winner?

They make the following points are key to this discussion:

• 2010: Wesley Sneijder won 3 trophies with Inter, led Netherlands to WC finals, and Messi won the Ballon d’or
• 2011: Ronaldo had more goals than Messi but Messi had more trophies. Messi won the Ballon d’or
• 2012: Messi has more goals than Ronaldo and Ronaldo has more trophies. Messi won the Ballon d’or

For what he achieved in 2010, Sneijder deserved it, much much more than Messi. But otherwise, I think the arguments put forward by fans on the internet are downright invalid. These are the faction of fans who think that goals and trophies are all there is to football.

If so be the case, how and why did Lev Yashin, Franz Beckenbauer and Johan Cruyuff ever win it? They were not strikers. So that itself means that goals and trophies are not the only considerations in this award. I think the following points ought to be considered for the future:

Style of play: The attitude of the player on the field, the way he plays, the skill and precision in dribbling and passing the ball. These are factors that more often than not dictate the end result of the game.

Attitude: By this I mean whether he is the kind of guy who plays selfishly or unselfishly, whether he goes to ground too easily, the fouls he commits, etc. Here Messi is definitely better. He has never ever been accused of a dive, and if you observe his game, he tries to stay on his feet even after contact is made.

Importance to the game: This meaning whether or not he is instrumental to the outcome of the game. This includes his rate of scoring, his assisting and the fact that the team relies on him. In this category Ronaldo and Messi are equally important. Barcelona is not Messi; of course not. But there can be no doubt they rely a lot on Messi. Real Madrid too have a star studded squad but they rely on Ronaldo just as Barcelona relies on Messi.

Performing his respective role: Messi plays as a center forward. And as per Real Madrid and Manchester United fans, Ronaldo’s a winger. Now a taqrgetman is the focal point of any attack but a center forward like Messi loves to drop deep. He does that because he makes a lot of runs from deep in and sets up chances and provides a lot of assists. That and he scores goals at a phenomenal rate. Ronaldo however, assuming he is a winger, fails in this category. A winger plays along the flanks and usually assists more than he scores. Ronaldo plays more as a striker. The two conclusions I gather from this are

1. The fans are entirely wrong; Ronaldo is a striker rather than a winger, and is performing his duties admirably
2. The fans are right; but that would imply Ronaldo has failed his duties as a winger.

These are some points as to why I think the jealousy of Ronaldo fans is unwarranted. It also shows an incredible level of insecurity. l think they should show some faith in their idol, even though he didn’t win some award. Big deal.