FIFA Ballon d'Or 2010 & 2011 betting shop

Since 3 players from the same club were nominated this year I got a little flashback...

1988, 3 players from same nation nominated:


;D

This time of the year, so here we go again.

Shortlists for the FIFA Ballon d’Or gala 2011

The following 23 men (in alphabetical order) are in contention for the FIFA Ballon d’Or 2011:

Éric Abidal (France), Sergio Agüero (Argentina), Karim Benzema (France), Iker Casillas (Spain), Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal), Dani Alves (Brazil), Samuel Eto’o (Cameroon), Cesc Fàbregas (Spain), Diego Forlán (Uruguay), Andrés Iniesta (Spain), Lionel Messi (Argentina), Thomas Müller (Germany), Nani (Portugal), Neymar (Brazil), Mesut Özil (Germany), Gerard Piqué (Spain), Wayne Rooney (England), Bastian Schweinsteiger (Germany), Wesley Sneijder (Netherlands), Luis Suárez (Uruguay), David Villa (Spain), Xabi Alonso (Spain), Xavi (Spain).

More than half of the nominees come from 2 clubs, Barca (8 ) Real (5). Boring, or?

Does anyone dare to name someone else than Messi to get it again? Why if so? I don t have any illusions after last year. I d love to see Luis Suarez, the only Liverpool player listed, finish up high this year as he won Copa America being named MVP of the tournament.

boring indeed...

I expect Messi to win this - really not hard to guess

after they cut the list to 3 candidates there will be Messi, Ronaldo and some third player... or not?

for me it still should be Xavi to get this - this year he broke some long-lasting records (e.g. Migueli)

but let s face it - if he didn t get it last year with Spain winning WC - he rather doesn t get it now

Recordman Xavi