Ballon d’Or award 2008
Prior to Euro 2008, Cristiano Ronaldo was believed to be the frontrunner to win the prestigious prize following a prolific season for Manchester United, during which he scored 42 goals in all competitions.
However, Ronaldo may have harmed his chances of winning the prize after a relatively poor Euro 2008. The Portuguese attacker has also faced constant criticism that he fails to perform in the big games.
As a result, sections of the Italian press claim that Iker Casillas and Fernando Torres are the two main favourites ahead of Ronaldo.
Casillas had a stunning club campaign for Real Madrid, playing a key part in their La Liga success. He was also a major protagonist in Spain’s historic Euro 2008 triumph, particularly in the quarter final penalty shootout win over Italy.
Torres was also decisive in Austria and Switzerland, scoring the winner in the 1-0 final victory over Germany. The 24-year-old had a superb debut season for his club Liverpool, scoring 33 goals in all competitions.
Beneath Casillas and Torres, the three other players who are said to be in with a chance of winning the Golden Ball are Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, and Russia star Andrei Arhsavin.
The last Spaniard to win the Ballon d’Or was former Inter and Barcelona legend Luis Suarez, way back in 1960.
Real Madrid are determined to keep hold of their number one stopper, who has represented the blancos at youth level, the C team, the B team, and now the full side, then they will be assured that he still has a decade of good saves left in him. Additionally, they feel that he is now ripe for individual awards.
In 2000, he became the youngest-ever glovesman to represent his team in the final of the Champions League, aged 19 and four days. Fast-forward eight years and he becomes the first goalkeeper to captain his nation to lift the UEFA European Championship. In between these years, he has won league titles, domestic cups, another Champions League, an Intercontinental Cup, and a UEFA super cup.
If he is indeed awarded the Ballon D’or he will be the first goalkeeper to claim the honour since Lev Yashin, the Soviet ace whom many consider to be the finest stopper of the twentieth century.
Emilio Butragueno, 44, played over 300 games for Real Madrid, and was even Vice-President of the club until he left following the departure of Florentino Perez. He told the club’s official website: “Iker Casillas is a special goalkeeper. He must win the Ballon d'Or. He has saved Real Madrid on numerous occasions and he's astonishingly consistent. He's the best goalkeeper in the world. Those that vote have to take all this into account.”
Butragueno singled out specific occasions, citing: “He's a European champion and the role he played in the quarterfinals make him deserve it more than anyone. His output since his first day with the first team has been spectacular.”
It remains to be seen, that when the award is announced at the end of the year, whether the status quo of rewarding forwards will be honoured, or whether voting journalists will break this mould and opt to expand Iker’s cabinet one more time.
Torres and Casillas ahead ofRonaldo for Ballon d’Or award
MILAN — Cristiano Ronaldo was widely regarded as the best player in the world last season, but his country’s quarter-final elimination from the European Championships may have damaged his chances of claiming the accolade.
.
According to reports in Italy, Iker Casillas and Fernando Torres, who starred for eventual champions Spain, are the two favourites for the prestigious Ballon d’Or, which is awarded by France Football magazine to the best player in the world.
.
Prior to Euro 2008, Manchester United star Ronaldo was believed to be the frontrunner to win the award, following a prolific season in which he scored 42 goals in all competitions.
.
But even he was powerless to prevent Portugal from going down 3-2 to Germany in the quarter-finals in Basel.
.
Spain’s success in the competition has led the Italian press to believe that Casillas and Torres are the two main favourites ahead of Ronaldo.
.
Casillas had a phenomenal season with Real Madrid, playing a key part in their La Liga success. He also played a crucial role in Spain’s historic Euro 2008 triumph, particularly in the quarter-final penalty-shootout win over Italy.
.
Torres :had a superb debut season for his club Liverpool, scoring 33 goals in all competitions.
.
He was Spain’s hero in the final against Germany, scoring the winner in their 1-0 victory.
.
Other players who are said to be in with a chance of winning the Golden Ball are Ronaldo, Barcelona winger Lionel Messi and Russian sensation Andrei Arshavin.
.
It would be a historic achievement if Torres or Casillas were to win the :Ballon d’Or. The last Spaniard to win it was former Inter Milan and Barcelona legend Luis Suarez, back in 1960. agencies Torres and Casillas ahead ofRonaldo for Ballon d’Or award
MILAN — Cristiano Ronaldo was widely regarded as the best player in the world last season, but his country’s quarter-final elimination from the European Championships may have damaged his chances of claiming the accolade.
.
According to reports in Italy, Iker Casillas and Fernando Torres, who starred for eventual champions Spain, are the two favourites for the prestigious Ballon d’Or, which is awarded by France Football magazine to the best player in the world.
.
Prior to Euro 2008, Manchester United star Ronaldo was believed to be the frontrunner to win the award, following a prolific season in which he scored 42 goals in all competitions.
.
But even he was powerless to prevent Portugal from going down 3-2 to Germany in the quarter-finals in Basel.
.
Spain’s success in the competition has led the Italian press to believe that Casillas and Torres are the two main favourites ahead of Ronaldo.
.
Casillas had a phenomenal season with Real Madrid, playing a key part in their La Liga success. He also played a crucial role in Spain’s historic Euro 2008 triumph, particularly in the quarter-final penalty-shootout win over Italy.
.
Torres :had a superb debut season for his club Liverpool, scoring 33 goals in all competitions.
.
He was Spain’s hero in the final against Germany, scoring the winner in their 1-0 victory.
.
Other players who are said to be in with a chance of winning the Golden Ball are Ronaldo, Barcelona winger Lionel Messi and Russian sensation Andrei Arshavin.
.
It would be a historic achievement if Torres or Casillas were to win the :Ballon d’Or. The last Spaniard to win it was former Inter Milan and Barcelona legend Luis Suarez, back in 1960. agencies
However, Ronaldo may have harmed his chances of winning the prize after a relatively poor Euro 2008. The Portuguese attacker has also faced constant criticism that he fails to perform in the big games.
As a result, sections of the Italian press claim that Iker Casillas and Fernando Torres are the two main favourites ahead of Ronaldo.
Casillas had a stunning club campaign for Real Madrid, playing a key part in their La Liga success. He was also a major protagonist in Spain’s historic Euro 2008 triumph, particularly in the quarter final penalty shootout win over Italy.
Torres was also decisive in Austria and Switzerland, scoring the winner in the 1-0 final victory over Germany. The 24-year-old had a superb debut season for his club Liverpool, scoring 33 goals in all competitions.
Beneath Casillas and Torres, the three other players who are said to be in with a chance of winning the Golden Ball are Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, and Russia star Andrei Arhsavin.
The last Spaniard to win the Ballon d’Or was former Inter and Barcelona legend Luis Suarez, way back in 1960.
Real Madrid are determined to keep hold of their number one stopper, who has represented the blancos at youth level, the C team, the B team, and now the full side, then they will be assured that he still has a decade of good saves left in him. Additionally, they feel that he is now ripe for individual awards.
In 2000, he became the youngest-ever glovesman to represent his team in the final of the Champions League, aged 19 and four days. Fast-forward eight years and he becomes the first goalkeeper to captain his nation to lift the UEFA European Championship. In between these years, he has won league titles, domestic cups, another Champions League, an Intercontinental Cup, and a UEFA super cup.
If he is indeed awarded the Ballon D’or he will be the first goalkeeper to claim the honour since Lev Yashin, the Soviet ace whom many consider to be the finest stopper of the twentieth century.
Emilio Butragueno, 44, played over 300 games for Real Madrid, and was even Vice-President of the club until he left following the departure of Florentino Perez. He told the club’s official website: “Iker Casillas is a special goalkeeper. He must win the Ballon d'Or. He has saved Real Madrid on numerous occasions and he's astonishingly consistent. He's the best goalkeeper in the world. Those that vote have to take all this into account.”
Butragueno singled out specific occasions, citing: “He's a European champion and the role he played in the quarterfinals make him deserve it more than anyone. His output since his first day with the first team has been spectacular.”
It remains to be seen, that when the award is announced at the end of the year, whether the status quo of rewarding forwards will be honoured, or whether voting journalists will break this mould and opt to expand Iker’s cabinet one more time.
Torres and Casillas ahead ofRonaldo for Ballon d’Or award
MILAN — Cristiano Ronaldo was widely regarded as the best player in the world last season, but his country’s quarter-final elimination from the European Championships may have damaged his chances of claiming the accolade.
.
According to reports in Italy, Iker Casillas and Fernando Torres, who starred for eventual champions Spain, are the two favourites for the prestigious Ballon d’Or, which is awarded by France Football magazine to the best player in the world.
.
Prior to Euro 2008, Manchester United star Ronaldo was believed to be the frontrunner to win the award, following a prolific season in which he scored 42 goals in all competitions.
.
But even he was powerless to prevent Portugal from going down 3-2 to Germany in the quarter-finals in Basel.
.
Spain’s success in the competition has led the Italian press to believe that Casillas and Torres are the two main favourites ahead of Ronaldo.
.
Casillas had a phenomenal season with Real Madrid, playing a key part in their La Liga success. He also played a crucial role in Spain’s historic Euro 2008 triumph, particularly in the quarter-final penalty-shootout win over Italy.
.
Torres :had a superb debut season for his club Liverpool, scoring 33 goals in all competitions.
.
He was Spain’s hero in the final against Germany, scoring the winner in their 1-0 victory.
.
Other players who are said to be in with a chance of winning the Golden Ball are Ronaldo, Barcelona winger Lionel Messi and Russian sensation Andrei Arshavin.
.
It would be a historic achievement if Torres or Casillas were to win the :Ballon d’Or. The last Spaniard to win it was former Inter Milan and Barcelona legend Luis Suarez, back in 1960. agencies Torres and Casillas ahead ofRonaldo for Ballon d’Or award
MILAN — Cristiano Ronaldo was widely regarded as the best player in the world last season, but his country’s quarter-final elimination from the European Championships may have damaged his chances of claiming the accolade.
.
According to reports in Italy, Iker Casillas and Fernando Torres, who starred for eventual champions Spain, are the two favourites for the prestigious Ballon d’Or, which is awarded by France Football magazine to the best player in the world.
.
Prior to Euro 2008, Manchester United star Ronaldo was believed to be the frontrunner to win the award, following a prolific season in which he scored 42 goals in all competitions.
.
But even he was powerless to prevent Portugal from going down 3-2 to Germany in the quarter-finals in Basel.
.
Spain’s success in the competition has led the Italian press to believe that Casillas and Torres are the two main favourites ahead of Ronaldo.
.
Casillas had a phenomenal season with Real Madrid, playing a key part in their La Liga success. He also played a crucial role in Spain’s historic Euro 2008 triumph, particularly in the quarter-final penalty-shootout win over Italy.
.
Torres :had a superb debut season for his club Liverpool, scoring 33 goals in all competitions.
.
He was Spain’s hero in the final against Germany, scoring the winner in their 1-0 victory.
.
Other players who are said to be in with a chance of winning the Golden Ball are Ronaldo, Barcelona winger Lionel Messi and Russian sensation Andrei Arshavin.
.
It would be a historic achievement if Torres or Casillas were to win the :Ballon d’Or. The last Spaniard to win it was former Inter Milan and Barcelona legend Luis Suarez, back in 1960. agencies
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