Tim Vickery in South America

The candidates were announced last week for the Fifa World Player of the Year award. Am I the only one out there who's not too interested?

The point is proved by a brief look at the performances this year of one of the favourites. Based on what he has done for Barcelona, Lionel Messi would be a worthy winner - but that would certainly not be the case if the criteria was restricted to his form with Argentina.