WITH no live sport on the TV to get our teeth into, sporting debates, fictional dream teams and classic throwback matches have been the order of the day.
From the decade-long Lionel Messi vs Cristiano Ronaldo debate to Jamie Carragher’s Best XI challenges, people have been finding ways to cure the lockdown blues.
Messi and Ronaldo feature in the top two on both lists – but who is No1?
Wright and Shearer have somehow whittled their list of winners down to a top ten each
And Ian Wright and Alan Shearer killed a bit of time by selecting their top ten Ballon d’Or winners.
Since the award’s first appearance, there have been 18 different winners – with only TWO coming from the Premier League – Michael Owen (2001) and Cristiano Ronaldo (2008).
But with some massive names winning the award, who makes each pundit’s top ten?
Here’s what they said, while speaking on the BBC’s Match of the Day podcast…
IAN WRIGHT
10. Roberto Baggio
Baggio won the Ballon d’Or in 1993, during his time at Juventus, beating Dennis Bergkamp and Eric Cantona to the award.
Looking back at the Italian’s greatness, Wright said: “Toto Schillaci got the goals in 1990 but at that tournament (World Cup Italia 90), along with Paul Gascoigne, Baggio was outstanding.
“He dealt with the pressure of playing in his own country and being their creative player.”
9. Luis Figo
The Portuguese maestro won the award in 2000, narrowly edging out Zinedine Zidane in one of the closest-run races in Ballon d’Or history.
Figo earned 197 voting points to Zidane’s 181. Andriy Shevchenko was third that year.
See below for what Shearer said on Figo…
8. Rivaldo
Then at Barcelona, Rivaldo beat David Beckham to the top gong in 1999, but would arguably go on to bigger and better things, including winning the 2002 World Cup.
Wright said: “He was really slight but I thought he was magnificent in the 2002 World Cup final and scored some unbelievable goals at Barca – like that overhead kick against Valencia (in 2001).”
Rivaldo is another star to make the top ten on both lists
7. Kaka
Before Messi and Ronaldo dominated the show, Kaka won the 2007 Ballon d’Or thanks to his incredible performances at AC Milan, including winning the Champions League that year.
On the Brazilian star, Wrighty said: “That game against Manchester United (Champions League semi-final 2007, 5-3 aggregate win) was almost the perfect performance.
“He scored twice (in the first leg and once more in the second) – and his overall play was exemplary.”
6. Marco van Basten
The Dutch legend claimed the first Ballon d’Or title of the Premier League era, in 1992.
He edged out Hristo Stoichkov and Bergkamp to the top gong.
See below for Shearer’s thoughts on the Euro 1988-winning superstar…
5. Zinedine Zidane
For such a talented player, it’s a surprise to see Zidane won just ONE Ballon d’Or – having come close on a number of other occasions.
The France legend clinched the trophy in 1998 and Wright said: “When people say poetry in motion, you watch Zidane and you get it.”
Zinedine Zidane features in the top ten of both lists
4. Ronaldinho
Ronaldinho somehow won the award just once, in 2005 – beating English duo Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard to the punch.
On the Brazilian talent, Wrighty said: “I remember that game at the Bernabeu, everything he did worked, and they gave him a standing ovation.
“He is the kind of player that makes the game beautiful.”
3. Ronaldo
The Brazilian star won the award twice, five years apart – in 1997 and 2002 – in a career that was blighted by injuries.
Amongst other huge achievements, Ronaldo helped fire his nation to the 2002 World Cup in the year of his second and final Ballon d’Or.
See below for what Shearer said on the Brazilian icon….
2. Lionel Messi
A six-time winner, Messi was always going to be well up there, but he will have to settle for second in Wrighty’s list.
Barcelona legend Messi has won the gong in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015 and 2019.
See below for what Shearer said on the Argentine wizard…
1. Cristiano Ronaldo
Ronaldo has won the Ballon d’Or five times, seemingly alternating with Messi, coming out trumps in 2008, 2013, 2014, 2016 and 2017.
On the Juventus star, who enjoyed most of his success at Real Madrid, Wright said: “He’s done it in different leagues and continually pushes himself.
“His work-rate, his total drive for perfection, to get where he is, I think he pips it as the top man.
“Even at 35, there’s no resting on his laurels. He’s an unbelievable role model.”
Cristiano Ronaldo comes in at No1 on Ian Wright’s list
ALAN SHEARER
10. Roberto Baggio
After earning the No10 spot in Wright’s list, Shearer has whacked him in at the same spot.
Shearer said: “He could play anywhere across the front. He had quick feet and was great travelling with the ball.”
9. Rivaldo
The 1999 winner is a spot lower on Shearer’s list have coming in at No8 on Wright’s.
See above for what Wrighty said about the Brazilian…
8. Luis Figo
On the 2000 winner, Shearer said: “We were comfortable against Portugal at Euro 2000. Then he stepped on the gas and they won 3-2.
“He went past players like it was easy, effortless. And he had the balls to go from Barca to Real.”
7. Kaka
Speaking of the 2007 winner, also No7 on Wright’s list, Shearer said: “He was so quick, elegant and smooth. He had great vision and scored some unbelievable goals.”
Ronaldinho has split the opinion of pundits Wrighty and Shearer
6. Ronaldinho
From No4 on Wright’s list to No6 on Shearer’s, the latter said: “He had that step-over, where he could go both ways.
“The whip and bend he put on free-kicks, his balance, ball control and the no-look pass.”
5. Marco van Basten
A spot higher on Shearer’s list, he explained: “He was a complete centre forward. There wasn’t anything he wasn’t brilliant at.
“And let’s talk about that volley (Euro 1988) – the connection, the technique… it was sensational!”
4. Zinedine Zidane
Again a single place higher on Shearer’s list, the ex-Newcastle star said: “He was the best player I ever played against.
“His balance stood out to me, and his ability to control the ball with either foot.
“The way he went past people and caressed or ‘loved’ the ball, was just incredible.”
Lionel Messi takes the top spot in Alan Shearer’s list
3. Ronaldo
Also No3 on Shearer’s list, he revealed: “Look at the clubs he’s played for, and his goalscoring record at PSV Eindhoven and Barcelona.
“When Bobby Robson came to Newcastle he said he enquired about me going to Barcelona but Blackburn said I wasn’t for sale so they signed Ronaldo instead. I think they got a good deal!”
2. Cristiano Ronaldo
Dropping a place in Shearer’s head, he explained: “Ronaldo’s made himself as good as he is.
“He’s had to work hard, it’s probably been more natural for Messi in terms of skill, but they’re both staggering.”
1. Lionel Messi
The winner for Shearer, beating Ronaldo, he said: “The standard that these two have set, they’ve taken goalscoring to a different level.
“Look at how many appearances and goals they’ve had, it’s bonkers.
“We’re so lucky to live in this era where we’re seeing the football these two produce.
“To get to the top is one thing, but to stay there and have that hunger to keep on performing – I can’t emphasise enough the dedication they must have to keep doing it year in, year out.”
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
