The FIFA World Player of the Year award is given annually to the player thought to be the best in the world... The selection criterion is based on the votes by Coaches and Captains of the international teams... Each coach gets three votes worth five, three and one point respectively... The winner is based on the No. of points.
There has been repeated criticism of the nominations for the award...Players who do not play in Europe have never been nominated for the same...Though players from the other continents have won the award but they were all playing for European Clubs... The selection panel has been overlooking talents form lesser leagues such as the Latin American league etc.
This has been repeated yet again...Twelve English Premier League players are included on the 30-man nominee list for one of football’s most prestigious individual award...The Premier League is by far the most represented with only eight nominations from Italy and six from La Liga...
The French and Arsenal striker, Thierry Henry and Italy’s World Cup-winning captain Fabio Cannavaro are the most likely contenders for the award this year... The Golden Ball Winner at the FIFA World Cup, Zinedine Zidane (now retired) may have been in contention for his splendid form at the world cup, but the infamous head- butt wavered away his chance... Ronaldinho, the winner for the last two years may not be the main contender this time because of his below power performance at the World Cup.
Images: pub.tv2.no, koora
