Hello friends, good vibes to all.
Yesterday, the list of nominees for the Ballon d'Or, a gala that will take place at the end of October, was announced. A few weeks ago, just when the European Championship and the Copa America were over, I talked about the possible candidates to win this prestigious award, one that is now organized in conjunction with UEFA and France Football magazine. I think things haven't changed much since then, for me Vinicius, Rodri, Carvajal and even Lautaro Martinez should be among the most voted despite the fact that the final list has a lot of big names.
The bid of a large group of people is that Rodri takes the award, for many he did more than Vinicius or at least was more decisive both at club level and not to mention in the selection. The thing is that the Brazilian won everything with Madrid and has that goal in the final of the Champions League, I do not know why those who vote are so struck by that. I don't want to minimize that, but these awards have to be in a more complete context. I think Vinicius is going to win it because as I already mentioned, beyond the sporting aspect, this award is one driven by the press and economic interests and I feel that it is more convenient that the Real Madrid player wins it. Maybe I am being very conspiratorial but a proof of that was Modric, a great player, but there were others with better numbers.
There are Kroos, who retired in a big way, and Carvajal. The thing is that a winger winning this award is complicated. Otherwise I don't see anyone else fighting, we will have to wait a little more than a month. But on that day more awards will be presented and one of those that is also giving a lot to talk about is the Kopa Award given to the best player under 21 years of age. Here I think there is no discussion, Lamine Yamal is the one called to raise it, the level and what this player is doing is crazy. With Barcelona I think this will be his season, despite the fact that last season he was already showing things, but what he showed in the Euro Cup with Spain is very good, he is of cracks. Cubarsi, Arda Guler and Garnacho are other nominees but I think none of them is or has done what Yamal has done, winning the Euro has a lot of weight.
As for the goalkeeper of the year, the Yashin trophy, in honor of Lev Yashin, the Russian who is considered one of the best in history, things could be more complex. For me the fight should be between three: Unai Simon (won the Copa del Rey and the Euro), Lunin (won everything with Madrid and was key until Courtois arrived) and Dibu Martinez (Copa America and qualified Aston Villa to the Champions League). It will be the most hard fought award and I think the least clear, but as we are here to give our opinion I would give it to Unai Simon. The Spaniard's season was very good, both in his club, Athletic Bilbao, and with Spain. The thing is that Dibu is a monster, the best penalty taker at present, so it gives us food for thought. We will see which weighs more, the Euro or the Copa America.
Coach of the year. If Xabi Alonso had beaten Atalanta in the Europa League this discussion would be sterile. The Spaniard had an anthological unbeaten streak, won the Bundesliga and the German cup with superiority, and his team was and I believe is still a machine. But what's going on? - He competes with Carlo Ancelotti, winner of the league, European Super Cup and Champions League and that, my friends, is very difficult to beat. In terms of justice I would like Alonso to be the winner but we know that will not happen. And mind you, we are not including Scaloni who won the Copa America or De La Fuente with Spain. Another award that will be talked about whoever wins. I don't think there has been so much parity in almost all categories for a long time.
Team of the year. Madrid or Leverkusen. Pretty much the same debate as above. There have been surprises here in previous years but I'm leaning towards the Germans. That club played incredibly well, achieving that streak of unbeaten games in Europe is something very difficult to achieve. But well, here we go blind as in almost all awards. I think this is a gala that is already being very polarized, since Messi and Cristiano, who were always the winners, are not there, the discussion is more real and the debate is more heated because there is nothing written or taken for granted. This is good because we will see who are the next torchbearers of world soccer.
¡Un abrazo a todos, nos leemos en la próxima!
Well my people that's all for today, I hope you liked it.
¡Hugs to all, see you next time!