We had the Balon D’or ceremonies yesterday and we can’t lie it was thrilling, but to some extent, it was getting tiring as we waited for that big prize to come down to the man himself and at some point, it started to look as if we were in a Grammy Award show because the categories of the award have never been this much before. Controversies are never far from football awards, but there wasn’t so much to go by this year; at least not so important.
BENZEMA D’OR
Award Rating: SPOT ON!
Who else? No one came close to getting this award from him. He was a complete masterstroke for Real Madrid last season, he was key to them lifting the LaLiga title & UEFA Champions League. His goals spoke volumes of him, his leadership was louder and coming into this ceremony everyone in the world knew this as we only had to wait a couple of hours for it to be official. Nominated 9 previous years without any success, the 10th time was the charm as lifted the most coveted individual award of the night. Reminder: NEVER GIVE UP. The Top 3 were also good with Sadio Mane and Kevin De Bruyne coming 2nd and 3rd respectively. The rest of the Top 30 may have some thoughts for controversies but the KickOff doesn’t really care and so should you. The Top 30 List below
- Karim Benzema
- Sadion Mane
- Kevin De Bruyne
- Robert Lewandowski
- Mohamed Salah
- Kylian Mbappe
- Thibaut Courtois
- Vinicius Junior
- Luka Modric
- Erling Haaland
- Son Heung-Min
- Riyad Mahrez
- Sebastein Haller
- =Fabinho
14. =Rafael Leao
16. Virgil Van Dijk
17. =Casemiro
17. =Dusan Vlahovic
17. =Luis Diaz
20. Cristiano Ronaldo
21. Harry Kane
22. =Bernado Silva
22. =Phil Foden
22. =Trent Alexander Arnold
25. =Christopher Nkunku
25. =Darwin Nunez
25. =Antonio Rudiger
25. =Mike Maignan
25. =Joshua Kimmich
25. =Joao Cancelo
BALON D’OR FEMINI- ALEXIA PUTELLAS
Award Rating: We’re Okay With It.
Barcelona Femini were a force last season, completely perfect last season as they scored 150+ goals and didn’t drop a single point in the league, perfectly Invincible, and made their way to the Women’s Champions League Final only just falling short of Lyon’s women. Alexia Putellas was the most complete forward for the team as she was getting the goals wherever and whenever needed. She missed out on the Women’s Euros due to injury but her exploit was more than enough to see her become the first women to win the award in two consecutive years. Beth Mead came second as she was massive for Arsenal and England last season, winning the Women’s Euros and also being the top scorer in the competition and Sam Kerr came third after her exploits with Chelsea last season. Top 5 List below:
- Alexia Putellas
- Beth Mead
- Sam Kerr
- Millie Bright
- Lucy Bronze
KOPA TROPHY (BEST U-21 PLAYER)- GAVI
Award Rating: We Don’t Think So
Barcelona had a disappointing season and was only left with a glimmer of hope going into the final 4 months. Gavi and other youngsters brought hope to the Barca side who had bowed out of the Champions League and also got knocked out of the Europa League in the quarter-finals. The young players brought energy to the side Xavi was trying to develop, but he wasn’t the influential player in the side nor did he prove so much to be tipped for the award. Jude Bellingham not being included in the Top 3 felt a joke, Bukayo Saka who was Arsenal’s and England’s shining light was left in 8th place and that made us laugh properly. The placements and the award weren’t good enough as slowly the ceremony might be declining in credibility. The Top 10 on the list below:
- Gavi
- Eduardo Camavinga
- Jamal Musiala
- Jude Bellingham
- Nuno Mendes
- Josko Gvardiol
- Ryan Gravenberch
- Bukayo Saka
- Karim Adeyemi
- Florian Writz
THE GERD MULLER TROPHY- ROBERT LEWANDOWSKI
Award Rating: It’s Fair
Well, there’s little to say about this award as it’s presented to the best striker in the world. We can’t argue with this, he broke Muller’s stunning record in the Bundesliga and has always been ruthless. He has won it twice and now he piles his trade for Barcelona. Another one next year? We have to wait and see.
THE YASHIN TROPHY- THIBAUT COURTOIS
Award Rating: Completely Agree!
For a team to do exploits, you need to have a reliable attack and reliable defence. Courtois has been massive and if there’s a game to pick as its stand-out moment would be the biggest of their season, the Champions League final where he won the Man of the Match and also did so much to make sure Liverpool didn’t have anything their way.
- Thibaut Courtois
- Alisson Becker
- Ederson
- Edouard Mendy
- Mike Maignan
CLUB OF THE YEAR- MANCHESTER CITY
Award Rating: Below Par
Well, they scored 99 goals, won another EPL title, and had a total of six players (5 from the men and 1 woman) in the Balon D’or nominees category so it may seem a bit fair, but they were humbled in the Champions League and apart from the league they didn’t do much in the other domestic cups so we aren’t too convinced by this. Liverpool was runners-up in the league and the Champions League, also claim both domestic league cups, and also claim another runner-up in this category, we can’t only say they’re the best at being runners-up LOL. Then the Champions of Spain and also of Europe get third, we won’t say much here, just utterly disappointed.
- Manchester City
- Liverpool
- Real Madrid
SOCRATES AWARD- Sadio Mane
Award Rating: Good Choice
A new award is given for recognition of extraordinary social commitment and as we know him, Sadio Mane does so much, especially in Senegal. Maybe after his footballing career, he should consider being the president of the country, a good heart and it’s shown in his action. We absolutely love him and hope he keeps us the good works.
