Ballon d'Or Shortlist

[Bridge'srightfoot]

Me neither. It's become fashionable to dislike him for some reason.
He scored 26 goals last season. Including goals against big teams. Coming from a player who's not even a recognized striker. He really was wonderful last year. I'm not going to argue he is or isn't the best or top 5 in the world etc. But he definitely deserves to be on the shortlist. Can we really say Yaya had a better season than Bale last year? I really doubt it.
I really just don't understand the bitterness towards him. It seems a lot on here are almost willing him to fail just so they can be 'proven right'. There already seems to be people taking glee about the fact he hasn't set the world on fire in his first 5 games.

Oh we're having this debate until the end my friend. ..

And the reason "some people" are happy that he is performing at exactly the level we presumed he would, is because some of us don't fall for media bullshit propaganda and celebrate when it is shown up for what it really is.

He's not is he though? He's not fully fit yet and adapting to a whole new league. He's taken on a challenge of playing abroad which very few Brtish players do and even fewer have success.
He was absolutely fantastic last season and if you can't see that then I am inclined to think you just have an irrational personal dislike of him.

And i'm not 'falling for media bull shit' I watched him play a lot last season and he really was something special. For a starter he got 26 goals, 26 goals for someone who's not even a striker. Our top scorer was Tevez (i think, with maybe about 15? Will have to check up on that) He also got goals in big games. Scored against us, Arsenal twice, Rags, Liverpool. He also in the past has given huge performances in the CL. The two games he played v Inter Milan a few years back for example.

And the quality and timing of his goals aswel were fantastic. West Ham away last year, stoppage time and he fires one in from about 35 yards.

And you're saying that's the level he's been playing at for Madrid?

[Mikhail Chigorin]

What are the odds of Sir Bacon getting the manager award as retirement present? That's a nice gold watch ...

....together with Van Persie getting the player's award.....

[Nigels Tackle]

scolari?! must be for all those must win friendlies he's been involved with...
are the awards sponsored by nike?
...no marc wilmots? interesting...

[Dameerto]

That list is an absolute travesty, WHERE ARE PHIL JONES AND TOM CLEVERLEY???

[LookMumImOnMCF.net]

Would like to see Zlatan get it. Or Muller.

[Original Dub]

He's not is he though? He's not fully fit yet and adapting to a whole new league. He's taken on a challenge of playing abroad which very few Brtish players do and even fewer have success.
He was absolutely fantastic last season and if you can't see that then I am inclined to think you just have an irrational personal dislike of him.

And i'm not 'falling for media bull shit' I watched him play a lot last season and he really was something special. For a starter he got 26 goals, 26 goals for someone who's not even a striker. Our top scorer was Tevez (i think, with maybe about 15? Will have to check up on that) He also got goals in big games. Scored against us, Arsenal twice, Rags, Liverpool. He also in the past has given huge performances in the CL. The two games he played v Inter Milan a few years back for example.

And the quality and timing of his goals aswel were fantastic. West Ham away last year, stoppage time and he fires one in from about 35 yards.

And you're saying that's the level he's been playing at for Madrid?

I never said any of the bullshit you spouted there.

Is he an excellent footballer? Yes

Was he unarguably the best player in league last season? No. Up there for sure along with suarez and rvp.

Is he the third best player on the planet? Absolutely not. That is pure unadulterated british media bullshit and you fell for it hook, line and sinker. As did madrid.

And it's fucking funny if you ask me :)

[Hutch's Shoulder]

I reckon that for the players many of the nominations are based in their highlights and Bale's highlights will look impressive. The fact that the rest if the time he fades out of games won't be visible to those nominating. They won't have the time to evaluate his overall contribution, nor those of players at smaller clubs. Harsh, but fact of life.

[nottsblue]

Why even bothet with a shortlist for manager? If anyone other Heckynes wins it we may as well give up

[Bridge'srightfoot]

He's not is he though? He's not fully fit yet and adapting to a whole new league. He's taken on a challenge of playing abroad which very few Brtish players do and even fewer have success.
He was absolutely fantastic last season and if you can't see that then I am inclined to think you just have an irrational personal dislike of him.

And i'm not 'falling for media bull shit' I watched him play a lot last season and he really was something special. For a starter he got 26 goals, 26 goals for someone who's not even a striker. Our top scorer was Tevez (i think, with maybe about 15? Will have to check up on that) He also got goals in big games. Scored against us, Arsenal twice, Rags, Liverpool. He also in the past has given huge performances in the CL. The two games he played v Inter Milan a few years back for example.

And the quality and timing of his goals aswel were fantastic. West Ham away last year, stoppage time and he fires one in from about 35 yards.

And you're saying that's the level he's been playing at for Madrid?

I never said any of the bullshit you spouted there.

Is he an excellent footballer? Yes

Was he unarguably the best player in league last season? No. Up there for sure along with suarez and rvp.

Is he the third best player on the planet? Absolutely not. That is pure unadulterated british media bullshit and you fell for it hook, line and sinker. As did madrid.

And it's fucking funny if you ask me :)

Messi and Tranny are miles ahead of everyone and then it's wide open. I think Bale is as good as any of the others.
I really wish you would stop presenting your arguments and opinions like they are absolute fact and accept that others have a view. You don't seem to be able to accept people think Bale could be the 3rd best player in the world and according to you anyone who does is just 'falling for the media bullshit'. I judged my opinions on WATCHING him. Not what the media said.
And I think it's weird that you've taken such a dislike to him and are willing him to fail and taking glee from the fact he hasn't set the world alight in his first 5 games despite the fact he's recovering from injury.
Give him a season to settle and adjust and then judge him. Not after 5 fucking games.

I think last year he was the 3rd best. He was absolutely exceptional and for me the stand out player in the league.
You disagree. That's fine.

[Original Dub]

Messi and Tranny are miles ahead of everyone and then it's wide open. I think Bale is as good as any of the others.
I really wish you would stop presenting your arguments and opinions like they are absolute fact and accept that others have a view. You don't seem to be able to accept people think Bale could be the 3rd best player in the world and according to you anyone who does is just 'falling for the media bullshit'. I judged my opinions on WATCHING him. Not what the media said.
And I think it's weird that you've taken such a dislike to him and are willing him to fail and taking glee from the fact he hasn't set the world alight in his first 5 games despite the fact he's recovering from injury.
Give him a season to settle and adjust and then judge him. Not after 5 fucking games.

I think last year he was the 3rd best. He was absolutely exceptional and for me the stand out player in the league.
You disagree. That's fine.

You think it's weird that I have such a dislike for him based on five games? After I spelt it out for you in my last post that I accept he is an excellent player?

You said he was the 3rd best player.

That's hilarious.

Do you still say he is the 3rd best football player on the planet, yes or no?

[Beefymcfc]

Waaa hey, Monkey booyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy!!!

[Goaters 103]

Based on performances in the past calendar year Id say Bale has a much stronger claim to be on that list than Ya Ya.

[Original Dub]

Based on performances in the past calendar year Id say Bale has a much stronger claim to be on that list than Ya Ya.

Me too.

He's just not the 3rd best player in the world!

[Bridge'srightfoot]

Messi and Tranny are miles ahead of everyone and then it's wide open. I think Bale is as good as any of the others.
I really wish you would stop presenting your arguments and opinions like they are absolute fact and accept that others have a view. You don't seem to be able to accept people think Bale could be the 3rd best player in the world and according to you anyone who does is just 'falling for the media bullshit'. I judged my opinions on WATCHING him. Not what the media said.
And I think it's weird that you've taken such a dislike to him and are willing him to fail and taking glee from the fact he hasn't set the world alight in his first 5 games despite the fact he's recovering from injury.
Give him a season to settle and adjust and then judge him. Not after 5 fucking games.

I think last year he was the 3rd best. He was absolutely exceptional and for me the stand out player in the league.
You disagree. That's fine.

You think it's weird that I have such a dislike for him based on five games? After I spelt it out for you in my last post that I accept he is an excellent player?

You said he was the 3rd best player.

That's hilarious.

Do you still say he is the 3rd best football player on the planet, yes or no?

I think apart from Messi and Tranny the rest of the field is very open.
And judging on performances last season I find it difficult to look past Bale. And think last season he was as good as anyone.
I really don't think he'll be far off the top 5 this time round. But we'll see.
He'll get better and better as he gets adapted to playing for Madrid. It may take him a season to do such, it may be quicker but you've used the fact that he's played 5 games, mostly injured to 'prove' that you're right and he's overrated. So many Brits struggle going abroad. Beckham for example (as much as I hate him) was hugely successful in the PL and took about 2/3 seasons to perform anything like his best in La Liga. Several others have just flopped. It's not an easy transition at all. Give him a season.
I don't think it is hilarious tbh.
The question isn't whether I think he is the 3rd best player on the planet, it's whether he was the 3rd best last season which in my opinion he was.

[Wooders]

Are wenger and scolari there to make up the numbers or something??

[sheblue]

Philipp Lahm (Bayern Munich/Germany),

this is who should get it.

[john@staustell]

Philipp Lahm (Bayern Munich/Germany),

this is who should get it.

NQDP is a big fan.

Agree with WW though in the OP. Bale? Fuckin ridiculous.

[Original Dub]

I think apart from Messi and Tranny the rest of the field is very open.
And judging on performances last season I find it difficult to look past Bale. And think last season he was as good as anyone.
I really don't think he'll be far off the top 5 this time round. But we'll see.
He'll get better and better as he gets adapted to playing for Madrid. It may take him a season to do such, it may be quicker but you've used the fact that he's played 5 games, mostly injured to 'prove' that you're right and he's overrated. So many Brits struggle going abroad. Beckham for example (as much as I hate him) was hugely successful in the PL and took about 2/3 seasons to perform anything like his best in La Liga. Several others have just flopped. It's not an easy transition at all. Give him a season.
I don't think it is hilarious tbh.
The question isn't whether I think he is the 3rd best player on the planet, it's whether he was the 3rd best last season which in my opinion he was.

I think bale is an excellent player based on the last few years. There you go.

I think the guy he replaced is better for starters.

It doesn't matter anyway mate, as good as he is, he is another player that is overhyped by the British media.

And this will be proven.

[nottsblue]

I think apart from Messi and Tranny the rest of the field is very open.
And judging on performances last season I find it difficult to look past Bale. And think last season he was as good as anyone.
I really don't think he'll be far off the top 5 this time round. But we'll see.
He'll get better and better as he gets adapted to playing for Madrid. It may take him a season to do such, it may be quicker but you've used the fact that he's played 5 games, mostly injured to 'prove' that you're right and he's overrated. So many Brits struggle going abroad. Beckham for example (as much as I hate him) was hugely successful in the PL and took about 2/3 seasons to perform anything like his best in La Liga. Several others have just flopped. It's not an easy transition at all. Give him a season.
I don't think it is hilarious tbh.
The question isn't whether I think he is the 3rd best player on the planet, it's whether he was the 3rd best last season which in my opinion he was.

Good post. If a player was judged on whether he was popular Tranny wouldn't get a look in. Zlatan hasn't done chances any harm either this last week

[Goaters 103]

Based on performances in the past calendar year Id say Bale has a much stronger claim to be on that list than Ya Ya.

Me too.

He's just not the 3rd best player in the world!

Agreed on that but Bale does belong on the shortlist based on performance.

I must have been watching a different player in 2013 because for me Ya Ya has been largely subpar.