Carlo Ancelotti | Sports in High Heels!

We are at the end of the year, the award season is approaching. FIFA just announced their nominations for the prestigious, controversial at times and very famous Ballon d’Or award.

We all thought this year everything was going to go smoothly with the nominees, well not so fast, things just got a lot interesting to put it in a way and a lot more controversial-ish.

The Nominees for the Best Player of the year are;

As of a few weeks ago, no one would have doubted that Cristiano Ronaldo was the favorite to win his second Ballon d’or, players and media were talking about his incredible year, that despite his awful World Cup, he won titles with Real Madrid and broke some records in the process.

Everyone has talked about it, but some opinions have generated more headlines than others;

First Xabi Alonso and his comments about Manuel Neuer and later the reports of his apology for any offense that Ronaldo might have taken over his comments.

Most recently Michel Platini, president of the UEFA, who said that the winner should be “a world champion” and not Ronaldo. Words that not only stir the pot but also generated a response from Real Madrid, the team issued a statement in which they outline his impartiality and reminded him that “the Ballon d’Or is an individual rather than collective prize.” – Award drama…

Now everyone is talking, from ex- players like Thomas Muller, Lotthar Matthaus to current players like Buffon, Pique, Ramos and the list goes on and on and the opinions varies; who deserve it?, if the World Cup should matter more than club achievements, goals records vs season performances, even their marketing powers or sponsorship influences are part of the conversation.

We haven’t mention Messi, who broke two historic records in less than two weeks and suddenly he is back in the race, he was a world cup finalist with Argentina, but aside from that his year hasn’t been that impressive, at least not for some of the media and football fans, and at times he wasn’t even consider as a possible winner, now he is in the race talk, although the voting process was closed before he broke the records, this just has added more to the drama!

Coach of the Year is another big award that have also created controversy in the past, this year at least most agree with the final three nominees. All have made enough the past year and deserve the award but only one will get it, who?… is yet to be seen, for many the race is between Diego Simeone and Carlo Ancelotti.

The Puska award should be a fun one, James goal was incredible but Van Persie’s was very impressive too, let’s not forget all the fun we had with the memes and it also created a new verb; Vanpersing!!

What is for sure is that we will have to wait to see how the Ballon d’Or drama will unfold, people will keep talking, speculating and most will keep campaigning for their players, for some this should be avoided but that also has become part of the award itself.

The voting process for the 2014 Ballon d’Or ended on Nov. 21st, 2014, with coaches and captains from all FIFA member associations, as well as some media representatives, choosing their three favorites.

Thanks for reading and stopping by!!! Who do you think should win the Ballon d’Or for player of the year?… Which goal was the best one?…. Feel free to share your opinion, you can leave a comment here or on my twitter @MonikJHerrera.

I leave you with a few but fun vanpersing pictures.