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By Ollie Irish
If Uncle Sepp asked us to pick a six-man shortlist for this year's FIFA Ballon d'Or, here are
the players who would make the Pies cut:
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WES SNEIJDER (Inter & Netherlands) - Imperious for Inter all season, carried that form into the
World Cup, where he was one of the few big names to live up to his star billing
Photos: PA
From that shortlist, I would give it to Xavi, who had such a brilliant season
for club and country, and rarely put a foot wrong.
This year's Ballon d'Or would be one of the most contestly fought contest in recent years. The
front runners of this years award are Andres Iniesta, Xavi hernandez, Lionel Messi, Diego Forlan
and Wesley Sneijder. The Ballon d'Or and FIFA World Player of the Year award has been merged from
this year and has been Christened as FIFA Ballon d'Or.
Diego Forlan may be 31-years old but he looked far from it at the World Cup in South Africa
where he saw himself be awarded with the Golden Ball award. Although he wasn't able to be contacted
by any of the major club's that was expected, Forlan still showed that at 31-years of age, he may
still have a lot left in him.
Spanish star Xavi went on to call Pep Guardiola the best coach in the world as the Ballon d'Or
candidate believes that if there was such a award for managers, Pep Guardiola would be the
front-runner. Having led Barcelona to multiple silverware, Pep Guardiola is definitely considered
one of the best coaches but to Xavi, he considers him the best.
Lucio, who has won the World Cup, the European Cup, as well as the league title in Italy and
Germany, has today tipped Dimitar Berbatov to win the Ballon d'Or.
"With the natural ability that guy has with a football we could be talking about him being
the world player of the year this season," said Lucio.
Lucio, who has tipped Dimitar Berbatov to win the Ballon d'Or this season, has given insight to
our man of the moment's background. He talks of the poverty Berbatov grew up in and his
determination to improve the lives of orphans living in Bulgaria.
It was during the Brazilian's time at Bayer Leverkusen, where he spent three years playing in
the same side as Berbatov, that he got to know the striker that he claims is 'one in a
million'.
Lucio, who won the treble with Inter last season, believes Dimitar Berbatov is as good Kaka,
Ronaldinho and Wesley Sneijder and believes Berbatov has good chances of winning the Ballon d'Or
this season.
"With the natural ability that guy has with a football we could be talking about him being
the world player of the year this season," said Lucio.
