This is just an award based on reputation. No doubt Messi will win it and deservedly so but I can't believe possible the best striker in the world right now is not even nominated for it.
Best striker in the world? basing that on the last few PL games of last season, when your season was over, and the first few of this one. With the username you have, it should be obvious why he wasn't picked. Injured all the time, inconsistent and usually struggles to get over ten goals a season. A "good almost half a season" in the ten or so he's been playing indicates he's enjoying a run of good form, maybe if he can keep it up for a year he'll be in contention next time. Not being injured/rested in the CL would help.
@Ivor - 28 goals in 27 league games, 33 goals in 37 games overall - just scored a hat-trick against Chelsea - i think he is definitely up there with the best!
haha I came on here to back up the fact that RVP wasn't included and offer my view that I think he should be on it, because he is a genius of the modern game in terms of technique. ......However!!!! You guys just had to bring up Rooney. What has Rooney done that RVP hasn't done in 2011? What has RVP done in 2011 that Rooney hasn't? Are you forgetting the hat-trick against West Ham? The Hat-Trick against Arsenal? The Overhead kick against City? The CL S/F goal at Stamford Bridge? The CL Final goal against Barcelona? The blistering start to this season? The assists for Hernandez? The sublime inch perfect 60 yard passes he has sprayed around every ground in the Premier League? Van Persie is special, I am not going to argue that. But his job is to score goals. He has never got back and defended and he doesn't have the range of passing or the vision that Rooney has. Rooney is more a complete player, which isn't up for debate. I am as appalled as you that RVP has been ignored, but don't kid yourself that he's better than Rooney, because he's not, he's just good at scoring and when the going gets tough he goes missing. David Silva now he's a different story, he is about as complete as they come especially in this league.
Dont believe the hype ) Rooney is doesn't have the ability of RVP, technical ability, in comparison, is pretty weak. I am not saying Rooney isn't good but RVP is technically better.
Im sure with some time an effort I (by which I mean someone else) can come up with a comparable figure for Berbatov last year, the PL's top goalscorer by some distance before he got dropped. Of course a lot of the Ballon Do'r is reputation and media driven. Being a flat track bully or enjoying a purple patch domestically doesn't mean much. What has he done in Europe or internationally in 2011? Maybe a season free from injury and he might be up there next year.
I'm a United fan, and I even have to admit, I'd love RVP in our side, he's pure quality. Had he not been so injury prone, he would be up there with Henry and Ronaldo as best PL player ever. Is he better Rooney? When fit he's at the very least his equal, JMO though
No I think Rooney is just below Those 2. I would rate RVPs ability up there with Henry, but he hasn't fulfilled that ability due to injury
Rooney will be finished by the time he is 30. His legs have gone: saf is already pulling him back from striker as is capello
he has everything to be a top attacking/box to box mid Just needs some quality in the middle with him and up front, give him the free role and he'll be cracking
I don't think Rooney has the skills necessary to play in midfield, speed of thought and movement of the ball, its a completely different environment with very little time on the ball. The notion that players can be as effective in different positions is laughable in this country, if we had more technical players then I could see it (total football) but we don't and they can't.
Totally agree. Rooney is way overated. If RVP was wearing an England top, they would hail him the best ever. If there was one player who could play in midfield as well as attack, it would be RVP
Rooney does not have the self control or tackling ability to be a top class midfielder. He is however an extremely good supporting striker. The only reason to play him CM, is because like Man U last night, there are no better CM available. He can do a job there, but against a good and strong midfield, he'd get a lot of red cards.
Agree with Magic Man. I dont think he even makes that good of a primary striker. He is a very emotionally driven player, and he needs to feed his own ability of self worth by constantly trying to have possession of the ball. That means you will see him on the edge of his own box trying to get someone to pass him the ball, instead of in the opposing half trying to run at opposing defences and causing them trouble. If I was on his team I'd find him thoroughly disruptive, because he is never where he should be and that doesn't help the team win games. He is a second striker or an advanced playmaker type player. He needs the ball to go through him otherwise he is likely to go off the rails, make a rash challenge and get himself sent off.
What is it with Arsenal fans, and never being able to look at anything objectively. Rooney is a fantastic player, and you guys would love him, if he played for you
