Ronaldo Retains Ballon
d’Or
Real Madrid and Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo has been
voted as the World’s Best Player for 2014. The Los Blancos goal
machine picked up the Ballon d’Or for the third time in his career, fending off
perennial rival Lionel Messi and German goalkeeper Manuel Neuer to the award,
which he received at a glamourous awards ceremony in Zurich. Ronaldo received
36.66% of the votes, well ahead of second-placed Messi (15.76%) and Neuer
(15.72%). The 29-year-old enjoyed a stellar 2014, scoring 52 goals in 43
matches in all competitions as he helped his Spanish club to their coveted
tenth Uefa Champions League title. Other major winners on the night included
Germany’s Nadine Kessler, who was awarded the Fifa Women’s Player of the Year,
while Joachim Low received the Coach of the Year accolade for leading his
German side to glory at last year’s World Cup.
All winners in
various Fifa categories:
FIFA World Player of the Year, 2014 Ballon d’Or winner:
Cristiano Ronaldo
FIFA Woman’s World Player of the Year: Nadine Kessler
(Germany)
Best Goal of the Year (Puskas Award): James Rodriguez
(Colombia vs Uruguay, 2014 World Cup)
FIFA Fairplay Award: All volunteers at all Fifa tournaments
FIFA Men’s Coach of the Year: Joachim Low (Germany)
FIFA Woman’s Coach of the Year: Ralf Kellermann (Wolfsburg)
FIFA Presidential Award: Hiroshi Kagawa (Japanese
journalist)
FIFA FiFPro World XI: Neuer; Silva, Luiz, Lahm, Ramos;
Iniesta, Kroos, Di Maria; Ronaldo, Messi, Robben
Argentina and
Barcelona forward Lionel Messi says he does not know whether or not he will
still be at the Camp Nou in 2016. Speaking just ahead of the awards
ceremony, Messi said he is unsure where he will ply his trade next year, with
the possibility of fulfilling his dream of returning to Argentinean boyhood
club Newell’s Old Boys a possibility. “I am not sure what’s going to happen,
whether I’ll go back to Newell’s,” the 27-year-old said. “I don’t know where
I’ll be next year. I always said I’d like to finish my career at Barca and then
play at Newell’s but nobody knows what the future holds, especially in the
football world where so many things can change overnight.” Messi comments come
in stark contrast to his statement on Sunday evening following Barcelona’s 3-1
win over Atletico in which he rubbished reports of a move away from the
Catalans. “I never demanded anything to stay, as I have no intention of
leaving. It is not good to look for rivalry between Luis Enrique and me,
because there is none,” he said after the match. Despite definite unease with
the Spanish giants in recent weeks, Messi has continued his impressive form
this season, with 25 goals in 25 matches in all competitions for the La Liga
side.
Arsenal defender
Mathieu Debuchy dislocated a shoulder during his side’s 3-0 Premier League win
over Stoke City on Sunday. The French right-back collided with Stoke’s
Marko Arnautovic before landing awkwardly and was replaced by Hector Bellerin
after 13 minutes at Emirates Stadium. The Gunners went on to win courtesy of
two goals from Alexis Sanchez, who set up Laurent Koscielny for the other goal.
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger said after the match: “It’s dislocated so it
will take a while. He will have to see a specialist.” The 29-year-old has
already missed three months of the season with an ankle injury. Calum Chambers
and Bellerin are again expected to deputise at right-back.
Wolfsburg midfielder and Belgium youth international Junior
Malanda was killed in a car accident on Saturday. The 20-year-old
was a passenger in a Volkswagen Touareg that was traveling toward Hannover for
training when it went off the road near Bielefeld in western Germany, police
said. “The car broke through the right guardrail, hit a tree and flipped
over several times in the embankment. The car came to a stop on its roof. One
person was thrown out of the vehicle by the accident and died at the
scene,” police said in a statement. “This was the 20-year-old Belgian
Bundesliga player of VFL Wolfsburg, Bernhard Geoffrey Malanda Adje.” The
driver and another passenger, both also 20-year-old Belgians, were seriously
injured and taken to nearby hospitals. The motorway was blocked for about two hours.
“The car was totally destroyed in the accident. At the time, there was
heavy rain and gale-force winds,” the police statement said. Malanda was
due to leave for Wolfsburg’s training camp in South Africa late on Saturday but
the club cancelled their scheduled departure as fans gathered at the Volkswagen
Arena to mourn the midfielder. Sporting director Klaus Allofs said in a
statement: “We are all deeply saddened and our disbelief can hardly be put
into words. We all loved him. He was the good spirit of our team and a
fun-loving person. In addition, Junior was an excellent football player who was
only at the very beginning of his development. We still cannot believe that he
is no longer with us. Our thoughts at this difficult time are with his family
and loved ones.”
Real Madrid winger
Gareth Bale was jeered by his team’s supporters despite scoring in their 3-0
win over Espanyol at the Santiago Bernabeu. The Welshman squandered an
opportunity to hand teammate Cristiano Ronaldo an open goal during Madrid’s La
Liga clash against Espanyol on Saturday, when he opted to shoot rather than
pass to the reigning World Player of the Year. Fans at the Bernabeu raised
their voices in frustration at the former Tottenham attacker despite him
scroing a thunderous free-kick to hand his side a 2-0 lead in the first half. Ronaldo
also reacted in disapproval of Bale’s decision to shoot rather than to pass,
however, coach Carlo Ancelotti downplayed the incident and hailed the world’s
most expensive player’s free-kick. “Later on the fans wanted him to pass
to Cristiano but forwards are determined to score when they are through on the
goalkeeper,” Ancelotti said in a press conference. “Generosity is
very important and if someone is being selfish then we will address it. The supporters
are very demanding when it comes to the important players and Bale is one of
those,” he added. However, Ancelotti has warned not to read too much into
yesterday’s incident, and says relations between Bale and Ronaldo are
“very good”. “We shouldn’t blow this out of proportion. It’s one
moment in a football game,” said the Italian. “Relations between them
(Bale and Ronaldo) and everyone are very good. We are all pursuing the same
goal which is to lift Real Madrid as high as possible.”
Cristiano Ronaldo has
been voted in the Uefa.com users’ Team of the Year 2014 for the ninth time,
spearheading the dream time alongside rival Lionel Messi. The 2014 Team of the Year, as voted for by
8.6 million Uefa.com users, was revealed and includes six players from the 2013
side, along with three debutants. Manuel Neuer, Philipp Lahm, Sergio Ramos,
David Alaba, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Cristiano Ronaldo all made it once again
after their inclusion last year, while Atletico Madrid’s Diego Godin,
Manchester United’s Angel Di Maria and Real Madrid’s Toni Kroos are included
for the first time. Five of the chosen players ply their trade in La Liga, with
four of Bayern Munich’s men making the dream XI. Zlatan Ibrahimovic is the only
Ligue 1 player in the side, with the English Premier League sole representative
being Di Maria. Barcelona ace Lionel Messi features for the sixth time, with
fierce rival Cristiano Ronaldo making the team for the ninth time – and the
eighth successive year.
UEFA.com users’ Team of the Year 2014
Goalkeeper: Manuel Neuer (Bayern Munich & Germany)
Defender: Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid & Spain)
Defender: Philipp Lahm (Bayern Munich & Germany)
Defender: David Alaba (Bayern Munich & Austria)
Defender: Diego Godín (Atletico Madrid & Uruguay)
Midfielder: Arjen Robben (Bayern Munich & Netherlands)
Midfielder: Ángel Di María (Real Madrid/Manchester United
& Argentina)
Midfielder: Toni Kroos (Bayern Munich/Real Madrid CF &
Germany)
Forward: Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid & Portugal)
Forward: Lionel Messi (Barcelona & Argentina)
Forward: Zlatan Ibrahimović (Paris Saint-Germain &
Sweden)
Ivorian midfielder Yaya Toure has become the first player to
be named African Player of the Year for the fourth time in a row. The
Manchester City ace was recognised for starring in his club’s Premier League
and League Cup triumph in 2013/14, while he also helped his country qualify for
the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations. Toure netted 20 goals in City’s title-winning
campaign, and also scored the equaliser in the Capital Cup Final 3-1 win over
Sunderland last March. The 31-year-old has nine goals in 26 appearances in all
competitions this season. Toure received his award in Lagos last Thursday
night, beating off competition from Gabon striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and
Nigeria goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama. Toure joined Everton striker Samuel Eto’o
as the only men to win the accolade four times. The Cameroon legend’s
achievements were not in successive years.
Chelsea manager Jose
Mourinho has been charged by the Football Association for criticising officials
after his side’s 1-1 draw with Southampton on December 28. Mourinho was
upset at referee Anthony Taylor’s decision to deny Cesc Fabergas a penalty and
book the Spaniard after he went down in the area under a challenge from Matt
Targett. Mourinho said after the game at St Mary’s: “There is a campaign
against Chelsea. I don’t know why there is this campaign and I do not care. Everybody
knows it was a penalty. The referee made a mistake, people make mistakes and he
made a big mistake. He is a good referee and a good guy, he is young, he has
years and years of football ahead of him but it is a big mistake.” The FA
released a statement on Thursday evening, which said: “It is alleged his
remarks constitute improper conduct in that they allege and/or imply bias on
the part of a referee or referees and/or bring the game into disrepute.” Mourinho
has until 6pm on January 13 to respond to the charge. The FA also revealed the
Portuguese was issued with a formal warning for his comments ahead of a match
with Stoke on December 19. Its statement added: “Having sought his
observations on this matter, decided not to bring a disciplinary charge and
instead issued him with a formal warning.”
Manchester United have signed former Barcelona goalkeeper
Victor Valdes on an 18-month deal with the option of a further year.Valdes,
who was allowed to train at United as he recovered from a serious knee injury,
previously worked with Red Devils manager Louis van Gaal at the Nou Camp. The
32-year-old won six La Liga titles and three Champions League crowns with Barca
before leaving the club when his contract expired at the end of last season. Valdes
told his new side’s official website: “It is a real honour to sign for Manchester
United. I would like to thank Louis van Gaal and the club for allowing me to do
my rehabilitation and to train with the team at the Aon Training Complex. From
my short time here I can already see this is a very special club. I worked with
Louis van Gaal during my time at FC Barcelona and to have the opportunity to
work with him here at Manchester United is a dream come true.” Valdes will
be hard-pressed to displace David De Gea as the number one at Old Trafford,
although his Spanish compatriot is believed to be in the sights of Real Madrid.
Inter Milan have
confirmed a deal to sign Xherdan Shaqiri after agreeing a transfer fee with
Bayern Munich. The deal is reportedly worth in excess of €14-million, with
€2m up front for a loan deal until the end of the season, after which Inter
will have to pay €12m to keep the Switzerland international on a four-year
contact. “There is total agreement between Inter and Bayern Munich for the
arrival of Xherdan Shaqiri,” the Nerazzurri tweeted. “We’re only
missing the signatures.” Once Shaqiri puts pen to paper, it will represent
Inter’s second major attacking signing of January after Lukas Podolski joined
on loan from Arsenal until the end of the season. Shaqiri has scored 17 goals
and made 19 assists for Bayern in 81 appearances for the club since joining
from Basel in 2012.
Bafana Bafana’s Afcon
group rivals Senegal will be without striker Diafra Sakho at the competition
due to a recurring back injury. The West Ham man, who has eight Premier
League goals this season, aggravated the complaint after netting in his club’s
1-1 league draw with West Bromwich Albion on January 1. Sion forward Pape
Moussa Konate has been called up as a replacement by Teranga Lions coach Alain
Giresse. “Sakho is not on the list of 23 players, his back problem is even
preventing him from moving,” Giresse announced.
Manchester City will complete the signing of Wilfried Bony
from Swansea City after agreeing a reported fee of around £28-million.The Ivory Coast striker joined Swansea for £12m from
Dutch Eredivisie side Vitesse Arnhem in July 2013. Bony is currently with the
Elephants squad in Abu Dhabi as they prepare for the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations
in Equatorial Guinea but is expected to undergo a medical in the Middle East to
complete the deal. The 26-year-old was the Premier League’s leading scorer in
2014 with 20 goals and already has nine goals this term.
Senegal players have
been promised bonuses of R645 000 ($55 000) each if they manage to win the 2015
Africa Cup of Nations trophy. In addition, the country’s President Macky
Sall has offered undisclosed win bonuses throughout the tournament, which kicks
off in Equatorial Guinea on January 17. The Teranga Lions have never won
Africa’s premier international title, with a penalty-shootout loss to Cameroon
in the 2002 final the closest they have come. The issue of player bonuses
became a distraction for Cameroon, Ghana and Nigeria at the 2014 World Cup,
although Ghana have issued assurances that there will be no such row at Afcon
2015. Black Stars captain Asamoah Gyan stressed that players are now only
interested in “dying for the nation” after settling on about R700 000
each for winning the trophy and R117 000 per game, reports Goal.
Cameroon midfielder
Alexandre Song has announced his retirement from international football after
being omitted from his country’s Afcon squad. The 27-year-old, who is
currently on loan at Premier League club West Ham from La Liga giants
Barcelona, decided to hang up his international boots after Cameroon finalised
their squad for the upcoming African showpiece which excluded the experienced
midfielder. “Since the World Cup in the summer and my subsequent exclusion
from the Cameroon squad for the African Cup of Nations I have taken the
decision to retire from International football,” Song wrote on his
Instagram account. “It is true that there were some discussions of late to
include me in the squad for this tournament but I feel after a lot of careful
thought and numerous discussions with my family this is the right decision. “My
love for my country will never change but I want to take time to focus purely
on domestic football and start to rebuild my career at West Ham United. I wish
Cameroon all the best and the team will always be in my heart.” Song, who
made his debut for the Indomitable Lions ten years ago, played 49 matches for
his country which included two World Cups and two Afcon tournaments, but never
scored a goal. In what was to be his final match in a Cameroon shirt, Song was
red carded for elbowing Croatia’s Mario Madzukic as his side were knocked out
of the 2014 Fifa World Cup in the group stages.
Fifa vice-president
Prince Ali Bin Al Hussein has confirmed he will stand as a candidate in the
elections for Fifa president later this year. Current president Sepp
Blatter, who has been at the helm since 1998, is seeking his fifth term in
office, but will now be challenged by his second-in-command. Prince Ali, who
has been the president of Jordanian football since 1999 and is also the
vice-president of the Asian Football Confederation, hopes to restore respect to
the world football governing body’s image, which has been tarnished in scandal
of late. “It is time to shift the focus away from administrative
controversy and back to sport,” said the Jordanian Prince. “The headlines
should be about football, not about Fifa. The message I heard, over and over,
was that it is time for a change. The world game deserves a world-class
governing body – an international federation that is a service organisation and
a model of ethics, transparency and good governance.” Prince Ali, 39, is
half the age of current president Blatter, and joins former diplomat Jerome
Champagne in challenging the Fifa boss for the presidency. All candidates for
the position of Fifa president must submit their applications by 29 January,
with the election date scheduled for 29 May.