Suarez named as a candidate for the FIFA World Player of the Year

Named as one of the 23.  Good to see Alonso in there as well - and no less than 8 Barcelona players!

Eric Abidal (France), Sergio Aguero (Argentina), Karim Benzema (France), Iker Casillas (Spain), Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal), Dani Alves (Brazil), Samuel Eto’o (Cameroon), Cesc Fabregas (Spain), Diego Forlan (Uruguay), Andres Iniesta (Spain), Lionel Messi (Argentina), Thomas Muller (Germany), Nani (Portugal), Neymar (Brazil), Mesut Ozil (Germany), Gerard Pique (Spain), Wayne Rooney (England), Bastian Schweinsteiger (Germany), Wesley Sneijder (Holland), Luis Suarez (Uruguay), David Villa (Spain), Xabi Alonso (Spain), Xavi (Spain).

No surprise there. It actually surprises me how little people are giving him a chance of winning it.  He was sensational at the copa America head and shoulders above anyone including messi and he has been sensational since he came to us. I even saw aldridge give a top 5 the other day and he was no where to be seen

Article by a former footballer pat dolan in the irish daily start yesterday saying suarez is better than messin?? I dont no myself be he made some good points saying suarez delivers for club and country and has stood at at the last two major tournaments whereas messi hasnt.

Article by a former footballer pat dolan in the irish daily start yesterday saying suarez is better than messin?? I dont no myself be he made some good points saying suarez delivers for club and country and has stood at at the last two major tournaments whereas messi hasnt.

Not a hope. I love Suarez but Messi is the best by far imo.

Article by a former footballer pat dolan in the irish daily start yesterday saying suarez is better than messin?? I dont no myself be he made some good points saying suarez delivers for club and country and has stood at at the last two major tournaments whereas messi hasnt.

he must love a drink

edit : i love Luis but messi is probably the best player iv ever seen

And also Pat Dolan is a tw*t.

He said before that if Man United had Ronaldo last season they would have been a better side than Barcelona.

I wonder Neymar also on this list. Imo Neymar still has to prove a bit more. I know that he's a bright prospect so far but maybe just my feeling that great player should prove himself in Europe or he must has a brilliant performance at WC or continental competition.

I wonder Neymar also on this list. Imo Neymar still has to prove a bit more. I know that he's a bright prospect so far but maybe just my feeling that great player should prove himself in Europe or he must has a brilliant performance at WC or continental competition.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eurocentrism

It would be a f***in joke if Neymar wasn't on that list

And also Pat Dolan is a tw*t.

He said before that if Man United had Ronaldo last season they would have been a better side than Barcelona.

thats it then he obviously does like a drink .... too often

I just wrote out my top 10 of players and top 5 in managers in the General Football forum only to click post and find it was locked. Not doing it again but basically Messi, Xavi, Iniesta, Ronaldo and Suarez as top 5 players and Guardiola as top manager.

Named as one of the 23.  Good to see Alonso in there as well - and no less than 8 Barcelona players!

Eric Abidal (France), Sergio Aguero (Argentina), Karim Benzema (France), Iker Casillas (Spain), Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal), Dani Alves (Brazil), Samuel Eto’o (Cameroon), Cesc Fabregas (Spain), Diego Forlan (Uruguay), Andres Iniesta (Spain), Lionel Messi (Argentina), Thomas Muller (Germany), Nani (Portugal), Neymar (Brazil), Mesut Ozil (Germany), Gerard Pique (Spain), Wayne Rooney (England), Bastian Schweinsteiger (Germany), Wesley Sneijder (Holland), Luis Suarez (Uruguay), David Villa (Spain), Xabi Alonso (Spain), Xavi (Spain).

So they choose one from the list to be the winner?

Suarez should be there, good for him. He might not win it but he definitely should be in the list.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eurocentrism

It would be a f***in joke if Neymar wasn't on that list

Not sure I'm understand what you want to say Diego but I think you say I'm enchanted (or love so much) of European civilization or something like this. If so that's wrong mate. I'm from Thailand in South-East Asia, we Thais most hated is the European colonization although Thailand never occupied by any European force. But that's far too long ago and I joint this forum just for Liverpool Football Club matter.
Neymar in the list or not I'm not something you called "Eurocentrism" , my bad of English language is very well prove for this mate .

I don't know but I want to know when Ronalinho, Ronaldo, Maradona, Romario, R. Carlos, Rivaldo, Kaka, Messi etc named as a candidate for the FIFA World Player of the Year where they playing football ? In their homeland country or in Europe ?
Anybody tell me where can I find this info, please.

Told you he'll be shortlisted

Personally feel Messi will win it for the third time in a row.

Not sure I'm understand what you want to say Diego but I think you say I'm enchanted (or love so much) of European civilization or something like this. If so that's wrong mate. I'm from Thailand in South-East Asia, we Thais most hated is the European colonization although Thailand never occupied by any European force. But that's far too long ago and I joint this forum just for Liverpool Football Club matter.
Neymar in the list or not I'm not something you called "Eurocentrism" , my bad of English language is very well prove for this mate .

I don't know but I want to know when Ronalinho, Ronaldo, Maradona, Romario, R. Carlos, Rivaldo, Kaka, Messi etc named as a candidate for the FIFA World Player of the Year where they playing football ? In their homeland country or in Europe ?
Anybody tell me where can I find this info, please.

I assume most would have been in Europe (Kaka at AC Milan, Messi at Barcelona, etc).

Fantastic achievement to merely be on the shortlist.

Think Messi will run away with it though

I must be the only person questioning why Eric Abidal is on the list. 

I must be the only person questioning why Eric Abidal is on the list. 

I too Semple mate :/

I must be the only person questioning why Eric Abidal is on the list. 

First thing I thought when I seen it mate!

Good to see Luis on it and deservedly so.

Isn't this done on the basis of performances annually and not over a season? If so, you take Luis's performances since January and the amount of MoM awards he has won and then his Copa America performances on the way to winning it then he has got to be at least Top 5.

Anyhow I think it will be a Messi, Xavi, Iniesta 1-2-3

Abidal and also Benzema? WTF? The lad had a couple months of decent football but hardly enough to suggest he was better than David Silva, Samir Nasri, Zlata Ibrahimovic, Victor Valdes etc.

Not sure I'm understand what you want to say Diego but I think you say I'm enchanted (or love so much) of European civilization or something like this. If so that's wrong mate. I'm from Thailand in South-East Asia, we Thais most hated is the European colonization although Thailand never occupied by any European force. But that's far too long ago and I joint this forum just for Liverpool Football Club matter.
Neymar in the list or not I'm not something you called "Eurocentrism" , my bad of English language is very well prove for this mate .

I didn't even know where you come from mate, but obviously I was talking about Eurocentrism in football.

I don't know but I want to know when Ronalinho, Ronaldo, Maradona, Romario, R. Carlos, Rivaldo, Kaka, Messi etc named as a candidate for the FIFA World Player of the Year where they playing football ? In their homeland country or in Europe ?
Anybody tell me where can I find this info, please.

And what's your point? Obviously they were in Europe, but one mistake does not justify another. To mention recent examples, have you heard of Edmundo in 1997 or Alex in 2003? Of course not, it's just the way things are - Europe is seen as the center of the universe when it comes to football, even though most talents come from South America.

Then when Boca beats Milan, São Paulo beats Liverpool, Internacional beats Barcelona, it was just a lucky game, and those South Americans play in their Mickey Mouse competitions. In many aspects, I'm a big critic of Brazilian/South American competitions and the way they and the clubs are organized, but it doesn't mean it should be simply discarded all the football that is played here.

If Neymar isn't among the best players in the world, but Erick f***in Abidal is, then I just don't know anything about football at all.

Also, if a poll was made to ask Brazilians who they think more deserving to be in that list... Daniel Alves or Neymar? I'm sure 99,99% will answer Neymar

Great to see Suarez there, not sure about world football as I don't watch it regularly but since he's arrived in England he's been up there in the top three attackers of the league at least.

Some wierd choices in the rest of the list too.

Think Abidal deserves to be on there but having Benzema on there is a joke. Far too inconsistent and lazy to be anywhere near that list

WTF is Benzema doing there?

Doesnt really matter who are on the list, as long as the few players who deserve to win actually are on there, the rest doesn't matter. I'm sure Abidal is only there because of what he's been through last year, and because of his amazing recovery.

Some of the names on that list are laughable. Anyway Messi without a shadow of any doubt

As for the managers list what did Wenger do to be shortlisted? Again laughable. If I was him Id be embarrassed to be shortlisted

I'm glad Suarez is on the list. Must mean wonders to him to be on that list. Everything has changed for him ever since he swapped the red + white of Ajax for the Red of Liverpool.

Sadly, I think this award is heavily assessed on trophies won, in this case, Messi has the upperhand. Luis' Copa America campaign just isn't enough, IMO.

I still think Messi would win it but to be there, is good enough for Suarez.

If Messi wins it for the third time in a row, it will surely secure his status as the greatest player of the last 25 years

Messi will win it. Nice to see a LFC players back in among the nominees tho.

how RVP and Silva didn't make the list amazes me, Higuain too.

Fantastic he's on the list and would be brilliant if he won it but Messi has this wrapped up IMO, he's gotten about 4 hat tricks already this season, god knows how many since the award was last presented! He hasn't done it a International level but his form for Barca is going to make up for that. Think there is a good chance of Luis getting in the top 3 though! Can see Iniesta dropping out of the top 3 this year because of his injuries.

Made up that Luis is in the list, well deserved as well, but like others have said, I can't see this going to anyone but Messi, one of the best players I've ever seen.

Considering he was the catalyst for his country to win the copa trophy.Was the most valuable player.  And messi done zero at the world cup he should nudge  past messi. 

Considering he was the catalyst for his country to win the copa trophy.Was the most valuable player.  And messi done zero at the world cup he should nudge  past messi. 

As much as I love Suarez and think he is an outstanding player, Messi is much better and to be honest is lightyears ahead of Ronaldo and co.

Tricky award, as it's always hard to value an attacking player's contribution to a team compared to defenders or even goalkeepers.

Ideally, I suppose they could award a best players from each group, but then I also imagine an annoying person (like me ) would suggest that it wasn't fair, an they would need a fullback award, a defensive midfielder award, and so on!

Anyway, lucky that we have Messi, as everyone knows he's better than all the rest!

As for Suarez, he certainly deserves to be nominated, and looking at the list, he should be near the top. A bit early for him to be a serious contender, as he hasn't yet had a full season with us.

In a year or two, if he keeps up his current form, I think it could be very interesting indeed!

Not a hope. I love Suarez but Messi is the best by far imo.

Ah ye i no messi is just different class best player iv ever seen.

 To mention recent examples, have you heard of Edmundo in 1997 or Alex in 2003?

Yeah Edmundo was a tank on CM 1999/2000

Considering he was the catalyst for his country to win the copa trophy.Was the most valuable player.  And messi done zero at the world cup he should nudge  past messi. 

But Messi did get 53 goals and 24 assists in 55 games last season as well as setting a new Champions League record and winning La Liga and Champions League. Regardless of Messi's international form, his club form is what will win him it. Also it's not like Argentina exactly play in the way that suits his game so he will never be brilliant for them. Not sure why you are mentioning the World Cup, the World Cup wasn't this summer, the award has already been given out since the 2010 competition. Although needless to say Messi did hit the post about 4 times at the competition.

Messi has to win it again.

He is the best in the world and as long as he is on top of his game (which he has done again all year) nobody else stands a chance.

So from a thread about praising our number 7 in being in with a shot at winning the World Player Of The Year, it turns into a Messi love fest. Fair do's. I'd still rather have John Barnes but there you go.

On for Luis and the award, who gives a F**k anyway. Only three awards I'm arsed about him picking up this year are winners medals in the League Cup, FA Cup and Premiership. Anything else, I couldn't give two shits about.

So from a thread about praising our number 7 in being in with a shot at winning the World Player Of The Year, it turns into a Messi love fest. Fair do's. I'd still rather have John Barnes but there you go.

On for Luis and the award, who gives a f**k anyway. Only three awards I'm arsed about him picking up this year are winners medals in the League Cup, FA Cup and Premiership. Anything else, I couldn't give two sh*ts about.

Well said like a good true RED Billy

Top five for me should be:
1) Messi
2) Xavi
3) Suarez
4) Ronaldo
5) Iniesta

Am I the only one who thinks that Iniesta is overrated?

Am I the only one who thinks that Iniesta is overrated?

Yes,    everything that he does looks so simple but that's the beauty of his style of play. Reminds me a lot of Zidane but a little bit better IMO.

 Andres Iniesta - Pura Magia (HD)

Better than Zidane, do you think? I change my rankings all the time but for me it's 1. Messi 2. Romário 3. Zidane 4. the rest

Better than Zidane, do you think? I change my rankings all the time but for me it's 1. Messi 2. Romário 3. Zidane 4. the rest

Might be a pretty bold statement but I think Iniesta's a better passer, his one two's with Messi and the others are incredible. Zidane although excellent didn't link with other players quite as well IMO, not to say that he wasn't a phenomenal player though.

Iniesta is a top top player but better than Zidane!
Not in a month of sundays.
Messi all day long for the gong luis is the most exciting player in
Prem tho'

Suarez is an incredible player but i really cant see past Messi for this. The media love the man (quite rightly) and unfortunately there are a lot of media outlets that are only interested in anti Liverpool propaganda and this will no doubt have an negative effect on his chances.

So sorry Luis but unless you bang in 100 goals a season or leave to join a more "favoured" club then I don't really rate your chances

But Messi did get 53 goals and 24 assists in 55 games last season

but he did not win the the golden boot

but he did not win the the golden boot

but he did more than ronaldo

Lionel Messi is going to win it, hands down. Yeah, he didn't win the Golden Boot in La Liga but he and Ronaldo ended with 53 goals last season.

Messi, however, won the La Liga, European Cup, Supercopa and UEFA Super Cup. Yeah, his arguably sh*t for his country but come on, who actually plays well for their country everytime they put on their national colours? (Other than Suarez who was MVP at Copa America and the Spanish national team because that's Barcelona itself). Ronaldo is also usually sh*t for Portugal. Rooney is usually sh*t for England. Many go on about how Messi is crap for Argentina but it isn't like every other big names are performing for their countries.

Whilst Suarez performed much better for Uruguay in Copa America and World Cup in contrast to Messi, I still think that isn't enough for him to beat Messi to the award because Messi set the standards high. Ronaldo could be second place but he hasn't won alot with Real Madrid so that also puts him out of the running for first place (or even top 3).

I believe the top three places will be taken by Barcelona players. In the last year or so, they are perhaps the best footballing team I have ever seen in my life.

And no, Iniesta isn't overrated. He's world class, IMO.