2009 was the last year that an independent organization nominated players for a trophy not controlled by FIFA. Ballon d'Or was the most prestigious trophy for individual soccer achievements. Although FIFA had their own version of the trophy (FIFA World Player of the Year) but it was never considered as prestigious due to its unclear and superficial selection process. The winner of France Football Ballon d'Or was unequivocally labeled the best footballer of that year.
In 2010, FIFA managed to take over Ballon d'Or from France Football. Since then, the winners have been either Messi or C. Ronaldo. The selection process like anything else in FIFA became shady and superficial. Whether you want to blame it on the financial interests of the rich clubs, the sponsoring companies of the players, or the sponsors of FIFA tournaments, it is no doubt that the ballon d'Or is no longer the prestigious and inspiring trophy it was.
C Ronaldo, and Messi are talented players, but they are not the only two in the sport right now. However, making them the only two candidates over the last few years has probably enriched nothing but FIFA's interests and player and team sponsors.
France Football trophy was based on journalists votes, using an objective sophisticated process to elect the winner of each year. In this article we try to provide a speculation of people who would have won the Ballon d'Or if it was still under France Football.
2009/2010
FIFA Winner: Messi. - Runner up: Iniesta. - Third: Xavi
Likely France Football Winner: W. Sneijder. - Runner up: Iniesta. - Third: Mueller
Messi had a good season but did not have an exceptional season for sure. On the other hand, Sneijder had an unequivocally excellent season. The man was the key player in the Netherlands reaching their World Cup final in 2010, beating both Brazil and Uruguay in their way to the finals. On the club level, Sneijder won the Champions League with his team Internazionale against Bayern Munich. In the semi final, Sneijder inspired his teammates for a great win against Messi's Barcelona, and played a major role in Inter winning both the league and the cup that year as well.
2010/2011
FIFA Winner: Messi. - Runner up: C Ronaldo. - Third: Xavi
Likely France Football Winner: Messi. - Runner up: Rooney. - Third: C Ronaldo
Messi would have been the winner of that year. A great year for the Argentine both locally and in the Champions League. Rooney had an excellent season with Man Utd as well. He won the english league, and reached the final of the champions league. Definitely under appreciated for that year.
2011/2012
FIFA Winner: Messi. - Runner up: C Ronaldo. - Third: Iniesta
Likely France Football Winner: Xavi. - Runner up: Mueller. - Third: Iniesta
This year was average for both Messi and Ronaldo. Mueller had an excellent year reaching the 2012 semi final of Euro 2012, and reaching the champions league final. The winner of that year should have been Xavi, the playmaker carried Barcelona to the semi finals of the champions league by excellent midfield performances and assisted Spain to win the Euro 2012 championship.
2012/2013
FIFA Winner: C Ronaldo. - Runner up: Messi. - Third: Ribbery
Likely France Football Winner: Robben. - Runner up: Ribbery. - Third: C. Ronaldo
This year would have probably seen a unique competition between two team mates. Robben and Ribbery. Both have contributed to an excellent year for Bayern Munich. Bayern won three local competitions including the league. The superb wingers won the champions league beating Juventus in quarter finals by 4 (agg) and beating Barcelona by 7 goals (agg). Robben was the most prolific player of that year with excellent performances for Bayern. Bayern munich with the two players broke a total of 30 game records.
2013/2014
FIFA Winner: C Ronaldo. - Runner up: Messi. - Third: Neuer
Likely France Football Winner: Neuer. - Runner up: Di Maria. - Third: S. Ramos
Neuer was a sensational goalkeeper of the year. He did not only help Germany win the world cup but also helped Bayern Munich reach the semi final of the champions league. The close second would be Angel Di Maria. Di Maria had an excellent year of his career. That year the argentine had the highest number of assists in La Liga helping R Madrid and C Ronaldo win their league title, and was the main icon behind reaching the Champions league final and winning it. C. Ronaldo and S. Ramos would have been fighting for number 3. C. Ronaldo had a great season but so did his teammate S Ramos. Ramos who was an important defender for that year with many great performances in the back line of R. Madrid.
This is all speculation, however, if you review the history of Ballon D'Or and the past five seasons under FIFA, you will find that Ballon D'Or would have gone differently if it was still in its original form.
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