Four Reds nominated for prestigious Ballon D'Or
Hot favourite
By Chris,
October 21 2008
Four Manchester United players have been nominated for the 2008 Ballon D'Or. Cristiano Ronaldo is the huge favourite to win the award – with Edwin van Der Sar, Wayne Rooney and Nemanja Vidic join him on a 30-strong shortlist. Ronaldo netted 42 goals last season as United secured a magnificent double – though his astonishing achievements were somewhat overshadowed by the summer’s Real Madrid saga.
Ronaldo is tipped by almost all pundits to win the award - though Lionel Messi, Fernando Torres and Kaka are considered as potential outsiders.
The inclusion of four Red Devils on the list is testimony to the fantastic season the club had.
Whilst Ronaldo's goals were the catalyst for United's success in England and on the continent, the entire squad performed consistently well throughout the campaign.
The winner will be announced on December 2nd with some 96 well-respected sports journalists from around the world casting their vote in a poll organised by France Football magazine.
The complete shortlist is as follows:
Cristiano Ronaldo
Edwin Van Der Sar
Nemanja Vidic
Wayne Rooney
Frank Lampard
Didier Drogba
Michael Ballack
Steven Gerrard
Fernando Torres
Cesc Fabregas
Emmanuel Adebayor
Ruud Van Nistlerooy
Sergio Ramos
Pepe
Rafael Van Der Vaart
Iker Casillas
Lionel Messi
Xavi Hernandez
Samuel Eto'o
Sergio Aguero
Marcos Senna
David Villa
Ricardo Kaka
Gianluigi Buffon
Zlatan Ibrahimovic
Franck Ribery
Luca Toni
Andrei Arshavin
Yuri Zhirkov
Karim Benzema
over ferdinand, @#$%& off.
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There’s been uproar that Ronaldinho and Henry didn’t make the final list – but why, particularly Ronaldinho, do they deserve inclusion?
Sometimes I think it’s based on names more than ability over the season.
Ronaldo is certain to win though.
Quote:ManUnited4Life
Ballon D'Or is the European Player of the Year and then there's the WPOTY.
academic. they both only really contested by european based players. I guess the main diff is in the nomination process. Stoopid magazine the one, and respected opinions the other. Both good at throwing up random names tho.