With the winner of the Ballon d’Or due to be announced early 2014, the cleanpairofshorts gang thought they’d share there personal favourites. First up is Lee…

In No particular order, here goes…

Cristiano Ronaldo

I Still hold a special portion of my heart for CR7 since his days at Old Trafford, arguably one of our finest ever players, he of course won the Ballon d’Or during his spell with Manchester United(2008), It is of some interest though as to why he hasn’t been able to reclaim it during his La Liga days at Real Madrid, Naturally the main reason is the mercurial brilliance of Lionel Messi, but he’s won it 4 times now and though again he may warrant it player for player, goal for goal, skill for skill its very close between the two of them, whilst the argument will rage on as to who is the best player, They are both beautifully brilliant footballer in different ways I just think that Ronaldo has a better all round game… (did I hear a pin drop?) my opinion of course! But I think he’s due another Ballon d’Or and maybe this could be his year again!! Failing that he could always swap Madrid for Manchester (Red or course… Manchester is RED) I for one would be happy with that!

Arjen Robben

This may raise a few eyebrows, but my 2nd choice is Arjen Robben, Always been a big fan of Robben and wished he could have played for United at some point, I just think he is so gifted a player, great pace, always chips in with goals but he has an unpredictability about him that makes him a pleasure watch!

Of course he scored the winning goal for Bayern Munich in the Champions League final at Wembley in May 2013, but while it wasn’t a spectacular goal it was his determination and reading of the situation that placed him in the position to score, I think Bayern were robbed of the title the year before, when Chelsea bored their way to the title, Robben was again on the opposite flank to ribery so dangerous down the wings, a lot of talk for Ribery to take the crown this year but I think Robben does just as good a job for his team and sometimes doesn’t get the same recognition.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic

My 3rd choice is Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Never won the Ballon d’Or but surely this year (though a bit of an outsider) he has to be in with a shot! He recently topped the Poll (40%) for the Ballon d’Or 101 GG (Great Goals) His goals are absolutely incredible, but there is more to him than his goals, helping PSG win the Ligue 1 for the 1st time in 19 years his ability and goals helping to turn PSG into league winners as opposed to also-rans!

It’s a travesty that next year’s world cup is going to be robbed of 1 of my 2 nominees (Ronaldo – Portugal & Zlatan-Sweden as they play each other in the world cup play-offs)

Players like Zlatan don’t always get the recognition they merit, he’s travelled around Europe a bit, plying his trade in Holland, Italy, Spain and now France but surely he never been in such a purple patch of form as he is now and potentially never at 32 years old will he have a better chance to take the crown!! Though if you listen to what he says about it a humble victory for club or country is more of a Ballon d’Or in his eyes! Bet he wouldn’t mind the Golden Ball sat on his mantel piece come January though eh!!

LP