Messi award ‘an injustice’

Spanish media show unanimity in recognising that Messi is the best player in the world, but suggest that this is not necessarily what prevails the voting criteria for the Ballon D’Or and that Spain have been denied the recognition they deserve.

One newspaper suggested a discrepancy in the way voters elected Messi the 2010 winner and says that votes for Player of the Year appeared based on goal tally while manager was on achievement:

“Messi has been rewarded for a season in which he helped Barca win the league but was mediocre at the World Cup — a tournament that has been pivotal in raising the profile and rewarding the all-round achievements of Ronaldo or Cannavaro. This trend then suggests maybe Iniesta should have won — he did well in South Africa after an average season.

“Xavi, however, warrants merit in both season and World Cup not to mention the fact he has won every title possible and is Barca’s most capped player. This holds little premium against the power of the goal. Take goals away from Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo and their balance of titles is weak compared to Xavi, Iniesta, Casillas or Sneijder.

“If Mourinho is rewarded but Sneijder is not — something is not right.”

Another paper said Xavi and Iniesta’s snub represents yet another slap in the face for Spanish football from Fifa: “Fifa awarding Lionel Messi the Ballon D’Or award — a player absent in the two biggest events of the year — is a slap in the face for Spanish football. Inter won the Champions League and Spain the World Cup.

“One cannot doubt the talents of the Argentina forward, but 2010 was Spain's year. What did Messi achieve in South Africa? Nothing. What did Xavi and Iniesta achieve? They took Spain to their first World Cup final. If Fabio Cannavaro won it in 2006 why leave us without the award now?

“In a decade that has seen Real and Barca win the Champions League and Spain win the European Championships and World Cup we are still without the Player of the Year award. What an injustice.”

The paper also point out — somewhat uselessly — that had Fifa not abandoned the old voting system — Wesley Sneijder would have been named Player of the Year — which dampens their claims that Spain have been unfairly overlooked.

“Under the old system, that prevailed until last year, Sneijder would have won, Iniesta would have stayed second by just two points, third place would have gone to Xavi while Messi was fourth. “The Dutchman has been the first casualty of the merger of the Golden Ball trophy and Fifa World Player.

“(Blatter) had the chance to once again show his ill-will toward everything Spanish. Only a few days ago he left us without the chance to organise the World Cup by instead opting for Russia and yesterday he left us without a prize that Spanish football deserved.”