You might have forgotten about this since the award ceremony today was cancelled thanks to a dispute between the Greek Government and the English commercial partner, the latter calling the entire event off. Regardless the votes are in and FIFPro have revealed the results on their website. As usual, a team has been selected that just wouldn't work in the real world. What fun! Here are the results: FIFPro World Player of the Year: Ronaldinho ASPIRE Young FIFPro Player Player's Award: Lionel Messi ASPIRE Young Player Fan Award: Cristiano Ronaldo FIFPro Merit Award: Samuel Eto?o (African commitment and anti-racism campaign) FIFPro Players for Peace Award: Barcelona (Unicef shirt deal) FIFPro World XI: More info on their official site: <font color="#0000ff"><a href="http://www.fifpro.org/index.php?mod=one&id=15510" target="_blank">http://www.fifpro.org/index.php?mod=one&id=15510</font></a>
How the hell did Thuram make that list, his not even the best at Barcalona! I'd also remove Eto and replace with: Thuram for Ashley Cole or <font size="-1">William Gallas</font> Eto for Drogba
Fédération International de Footballeurs Professionels It's the worldwide representative organisation for professional football players. 42 national players' associations are currently members (I think). They've only held awards for the last two years and it is the players that cast the votes, poorly in almost every case.
<div class="quote_poster">dan Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">It is the players that cast the votes, poorly in almost every case.</div> What, because they didn't pick any Chelsea players? Eto'o has done wonders for African football and given that anti-racism initiatives are a big thing right now, anyone heavily involved with one will get massive recognition. Not sure how Lionel Messi gets an award when he was injured for nearly a whole season. And I'm glad Barcelona are getting recognition for the Unicef affiliation.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">What, because they didn't pick any Chelsea players?</div>Huh? what makes you think that... Just look who got picked into that team and tell me i'm wrong. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Eto'o has done wonders for African football and given that anti-racism initiatives are a big thing right now, anyone heavily involved with one will get massive recognition.</div>Lots of footballers have done wonders for anti-racism in football, yet most dont get recognition. However im not suprised someone in Spain gets a reward, especially after the whole England SWP fiasco.
I think everyone except Thuram, Zidane and possibly Pirlo don't deserve to be there but other than , I have no complaints.