Ranking the four serious candidates for the 2015 Ballon d'Or award
FIFA announced its "shortlist" for the 2015 Ballon d'Or, revealing 23 nominees for the award that goes to the World Player of the Year. Balloting, which begins next Monday, will be based on "achievements between 22 November 2014 and 20 November 2015 inclusive."
The not-so-short list includes more honorable mentions than legit contenders. It recognizes midfield metronomes like Andrés Iniesta (Spain/FC Barcelona), Toni Kroos (Germany/Real Madrid) and Ivan Rakitić (Croatia/FC Barcelona) and defensive anchors like Javier Mascherano (Argentina/FC Barcelona), Manuel Neuer (Germany/FC Bayern Munich) and Arturo Vidal (Chile/Juventus/FC Bayern Munich).
It honors young talents taking their game to the next level like Kevin De Bruyne (Belgium/VfL Wolfsburg/Manchester City) and Paul Pogba (France/Juventus) as well as aging veterans whose reputations still loom large like Zlatan Ibrahimović (Sweden/Paris Saint-Germain) and Arjen Robben (Netherlands/FC Bayern Munich).
Euro 2016 qualifying standouts – like Gareth Bale (Wales/Real Madrid) and Robert Lewandowski (Poland/FC Bayern Munich) – and elite attacking talents – such as Sergio Agüero (Argentina/Manchester City), Karim Benzema (France/Real Madrid), Eden Hazard (Belgium/Chelsea), Thomas Müller (Germany/FC Bayern Munich) and Luis Suárez (Uruguay/FC Barcelona) – get their due, too. And then there are selections that would make sense if they were based on 2014 accomplishments: James Rodríguez (Colombia/Real Madrid) and Yaya Touré (Côte d'Ivoire/Manchester City).
That leaves four serious candidates. Let's rank them.
4. Alexis Sánchez (Chile/Arsenal) – Came up big in two cup finals with a goal and an assist in the Gunners' FA Cup repeat and a memorable clinching penalty in Chile's shootout win to capture the Copa America.
3. Neymar (Brazil/FC Barcelona) – Being Robin to Messi's Batman on a Champions League winner isn't so bad. It just won't win you the Ballon d'Or despite 39 goals and eight assists.
2. Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal/Real Madrid) – Even with 51 goals and 17 assists, Ronaldo will have to surrender the Ballon d'Or throne he's held since 2013.
1. Lionel Messi (Argentina/FC Barcelona) – Wrestled away Best Player on the Planet title from Ronaldo during Barcelona's treble-winning run. Also led Argentina to another runner-up finish, this time in the Copa America. Had compiled 57 goals and 22 assists before he tore a knee ligament three weeks ago.
The three finalists will be announced on November 30.
Here are the 10 nominees for FIFA World Coach of the Year:
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 Martínez (Spain/FC Barcelona)
José Mourinho (Portugal/Chelsea)
Jorge Sampaoli (Argentina/Chilean national team)
Diego Simeone (Argentina/Atlético Madrid)
Arsène Wenger (France/Arsenal).
The winners of the Ballon d'Or and FIFA World Coach of the Year will be announced on Jan. 11, 2016.
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