Monday 13 January 2014
Kongresshaus, Zurich-Switzerland
FIFPro World XI
Manuel Neuer (Bayern München)
Philip Lahm (Bayern München)
Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid)
Thiago Silva (Paris Saint-Germain)
Dani Alves (Barcelona)
Andrés Iniesta (Barcelona)
Xavi Hernández (Barcelona)
Franck Ribery (Bayern München)
Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid)
Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Paris Saint-Germain)
Lionel Messi (Barcelona)
Once again, this list is dominated by Barcelona footballers. By the guidance of Heynckes, we get to see some German footballers on this list. However, Robert Lewandowski is missing from this team.
FIFA Presidential Award 2013
Former IOC President Jacques Rogge
"Former IOC President Jacques Rogge received the FIFA Presidential Award from President Joseph S. Blatter in recognition of his tireless work to defend the integrity of international sport. Rogge excelled with his refreshing, intelligent and humble approach to leadership and he put the Olympic movement back on to a safe and steady path for the future."
(fifa.com)
EUSÉBIO
Tribute was paid to the late Portuguese great, Eusebio.
FIFA World Coach Women's Football 2013
Silvia Neid - German National Team
Neid led Germany at the UEFA Women’s EURO to an 8th continental crown.
FIFA World Coach Men's Football 2013
Juup Heynckes - Bayern München
Heynckes became the first-ever coach to win the treble with a German men’s team - Bundesliga, UEFA Champions League and German Cup.
FIFA Fair Play Award
Afghanistan Football Federation
"The FIFA Fair Play Award was given to the Afghanistan Football Federation for upholding the spirit of courage and solidarity against all odds through the after-effects of war, disorder and conflict. Although the country has been ravaged by violence and war in recent times, the Afghanistan Football Federation has continued to build a footballing infrastructure, and has also developed grassroots football and opened up the game to a larger audience, including women and families."
(fifa.com)
FIFA Puskas’ Award 2013
Zlatan Ibrahimović
Ibrahimović scored an incredibly mesmerising long-range bicycle kick for Sweden in a friendly match against England on 13 November 2012.
FIFA Ballon d'Or Prix d'Honneur
Pelé
The Seleção legend received the first FIFA Ballon d’Or Prix d’Honneur in recognition of his illustrious career and achievements.
Pele is the only player to win the FIFA World Cup™ three times (1958, 1962 and 1970). He scored more than 1,200 goals in his playing career of over two decades and is Brazil’s all-time leading scorer with 77 goals in 92 official matches, while also earning the richly deserved nickname O Rei do Futebol (The King of Football).
After he retired from the game, Pele was named FIFA Player of the Century and Athlete of the Century by the International Olympic Committee.
“When we think of football, we think of his name above all others. No other player has had such an influence on the sport or touched so many people. His verve and skill will never be forgotten.”
FIFA President Blatter
“He was a true ambassador of football and an example to other players. Very few even came close to matching his achievements.”
“It is amazing to think that he never won the Ballon d’Or, but then he played at a time when the prize was only awarded to European players. Even so, everybody knows him as O Rei do Futebol. In Brazil, he is an icon. In the rest of the world, he is a hero whose fame goes beyond national borders.”
Amaury Group and L’Equipe Group President Francois Moriniere
FIFA Women's World Player of the Year 2013
Nadine Angerer - Germany
147 national team coaches, 146 national team captains and 88 media representatives voted for the FIFA Women’s World Player of the Year award. Nadine Angerer received 612 points, Abby Wambach received 539 points and Marta received only 493 points.
FIFA Ballon d'Or 2013
Cristiano Ronaldo - Portugal
Cristiano Ronaldo was named the best player in the world for the second time after 2008 by carrying off the FIFA Ballon d’Or award.
184 national team coaches, 184 national team captains and 173 media representatives voted for the FIFA Ballon d’Or. Ronaldo secured the title with 1,365 points, ahead of Lionel Messi with 1,205 points and Franck Ribéry with 1,127 points.
Messi's Red Suit
It was bold of Messi to wear a red suit to the awards. But I must admit, he looked better than he did in the velvet suit and the polka dot suit he wore in previous campaigns. However, he looked dashing.
What did you think of the red suit?
Seeing Pele and CR7 cry last night, was pretty intense. It just goes to show that some people play football with their feet, while others play football with their hearts. Besides, real men cry ... So they say.
