Ballon d’Or

The Ballon d’Or acclaimed as the most prestigious individual accolade in world football to come in the shape of a golden ball made from a wax-like substance with a gold plating as the covering, not even made from gold, just eighteen carat, valuation perhaps 1860 dollars to lift the lid. The trophy is presented by French magazine France Football since 1956 to honour the best player deemed over the previous season. The award was conceived by the French sports writers Gabriel Hant and Jaques Fellari with sports writers having voting rights exclusively up to 2006, this changed in 2007 with players, managers and coaches being given voting rights, another change occurred in 2016 with the voting rights being handed back to the journalists.

Trophies that are entered into the Ballon d’Or festival are the Johann Cruff trophy awarded to the managers and the Gerd Muller trophy primarily for the world’s top goal scorers. The Ballon d’Or encompasses under the headings afforded, individual performances and collective performances throughout the year. Into category 2 and player plus talent and fair play. Category 3 follows the players career, the award stretched beyond the European player contingent to all the world players in 1995 with Liberian George Weah becoming the first player to win the award under the heading, the world, to become a truly global award.

The first player to win the Ballon d’Or in 1956 was the ‘wizard of dribble’ and the magician Stanley Mathews at the tender age of 41, the greatest 41 year old footballer of all time, Ronaldo near on the age will be looking to test that mantle. Mathews remarkably never received a caution and seven years later at the age of 48 Mathews was awarded the Football Writers Association award, not affiliated to the Ballon d’Or award having previously won the award in 1948, Mathews one of the greatest footballers to have lived. Of surprise and interest Sir Stan, Kevin Keegan and Luis Figo claimed the Ballon d’Or without actually winning a trophy, that would not transpire today. To digest the list of Ballon d’Or winners there are players who could be termed as not being the best but the category of making the biggest impact afforded them the award, Michael Owen in 2001, Luka Modric in 2018 and Karim Beazema in 2022 to name three players to come under the termed, impact.

Lionel Messi sits top of the awards list on 8 Ballon d’Or’s with Ronaldo close behind on 5 awards. Players to complete a hattrick of the award, Michel Platini in successive years, 1983, 84 and 85 with the lethal Netherlands striker Marco van Basten alongside Dutch compatriot Johann Cruyff. Three Manchester United icons during the 1960’s claimed the award, Bobby Charlton, Dennis Law and George Best. Lionel Messi’s last award came in 2023 having been classified as being outside the world’s top thirty players in 2022 and 2024. A historical award in the annals of football with a touch of bizarreness to football’s golden ball. Link to article Feb 26^th 2019 ‘Ronaldo v Messi.

Manero on X

@chestermanero
Liverpool champions decided early alongside the relegation issues being settled early doors. Spurs and Manchester United in dire straits, Chelsea had a meltdown, Man City’s mojo melted, Forest the surprise, any hope for Everton and Wolves next season?

@chestermanero
Thank God Dyche was there for 2 seasons, would be in the Championship now, yes the Moyes arrival has been good, easy to gobshite when safety is assured.

@chestermanero
Yes I understand that Henry, I am referencing in the main the money wrecking ball charging around football’s unabated players wages, I am not singling out Salah, just highlighting one of football’s ills.
replying to Henry Winter

Eubank Triumphs PTS Decision

The failed drugs tests of Conor Benn came with the Conor quote “I got loaded up with eggs my lord”. Those steroid pumping eggs? Wholesome phosphorous, a two year courtship with one’s eggs denied Conor an entry into the boxing ring. Let free of the yoke infestation, arch nemesis Chris Eubank junior is the baton carrier for a drug free sport across all landscapes, it is refreshing to see a sportsman be so vigorous with his fury vents at the establishment and the drug cheats, none more so with his anger in Chris mind of Conor being a drug cheat.

Conor’s return to the ring seems to be on the back of a 50% acquittal, strange undertones beneath the surface, Conor has always stated that he can prove his innocence with no evidence forthcoming, all hot air amongst father Nigel Ben’s ramblings, only Conor knows if he is a drug cheat. The need to rock the boxing bastard cheats to the core, a life threatening sport without having to face an opponent loaded up with drugs is the lowest form of villainy, into the depths of depravity to become the dogs whore to the drugs, billboarded, drug cheat Conor Benn? Is the jury out?