No Lovren?
I’ve an idea about how we can settle the endless debate about who is better, Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo.
How about we get the two of the them to play a game of ‘World Cup’ out on the street, just like they used to do when they were kids.
The rules are simple. First one to score 10 goals wins but if Ronaldo finds himself 4-0, gets moody and decides to take his ball home then Messi instantly wins the game.
Yet again it’s the four-time winner Messi and current Ballon d’Or holder Ronaldo that are the men to beat for the top individual prize in football as only 5 Premier League footballers make the grade.
Answers on a postcard as to why Arsene Wenger has been nominated for coach of the year but they’ll probably also give that award to either Messi or Ronaldo.
Here’s the list in full with the winners being announced on Jan 11, 2016 in Zurich.
Full list of Ballon d’Or noiminees:
Sergio Aguero (Argentina/Manchester City)
Gareth Bale (Wales/Real Madrid)
Karim Benzema (France/Real Madrid)
Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal/Real Madrid)
Kevin De Bruyne (Belgium/VfL Wolfsburg/Manchester City)
Eden Hazard (Belgium/Chelsea)
Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Sweden/Paris Saint-Germain)
Andres Iniesta (Spain/FC Barcelona)
Toni Kroos (Germany/Real Madrid)
Robert Lewandowski (Poland/FC Bayern Munich)
Javier Mascherano (Argentina/FC Barcelona)
Lionel Messi (Argentina/FC Barcelona)
Thomas Muller (Germany/FC Bayern Munich)
Manuel Neuer (Germany/FC Bayern Munich)
Neymar (Brazil/FC Barcelona)
Paul Pogba (France/Juventus)
Ivan Rakitic; (Croatia/FC Barcelona)
Arjen Robben (Netherlands/FC Bayern Munich)
James Rodriguez (Colombia/Real Madrid)
Alexis Sanchez (Chile/Arsenal)
Luis Suarez (Uruguay/FC Barcelona)
Yaya Toure (Cote d’Ivoire/Manchester City)
Arturo Vidal (Chile/Juventus/FC Bayern Munich)
World Coach of the Year nominees:
Massimiliano Allegri (Italy/Juventus)
Carlo Ancelotti (Italy/Real Madrid)
Laurent Blanc (France/Paris Saint-Germain)
Unai Emery (Spain/Sevilla FC)
Pep Guardiola (Spain/FC Bayern Munich)
Luis Enrique Martinez (Spain/FC Barcelona)
Jose Mourinho (Portugal/Chelsea)
Jorge Sampaoli (Argentina/Chilean national team)
Diego Simeone (Argentina/Atletico Madrid)
Arsene Wenger (France/Arsenal)
