The final 2016 Ballon d’Or list is out. Messi , Ronaldo and Griezmann have been named on the three- man shortlist for FIFA best Men’s player award. Manchester United’s Wayne Rooney has failed to make the shortlist for the first time while 25-year-old Griezmann is being featured for the first time. The list compiled by the FIFPro players’ union is based upon votes from 25,000 professional footballers. The winner will be announced at a ceremony in Zurich on January 9, 2017.
Other names missing from the list include; Manchester City’s Vincent Kompany and Yaya Toure, Chelsea’s John Terry, Bayern Munich’s Arjen Robben, Porto’s Iker Casillas and Real Madrid’s James Rodriguez.
The 55-player short list:
Goalkeepers (5): Claudio Bravo (Chile/Barcelona/Manchester City), Gianluigi Buffon (Italy/Juventus), David de Gea (Spain/Manchester United), Keylor Navas (Costa Rica/Real Madrid) and Manuel Neuer (Germany/Bayern Munich).
Defenders (20): David Alaba (Austria/Bayern Munich), Jordi Alba (Spain/Barcelona), Serge Aurier (Ivory Coast/Paris St Germain), Hector Bellerin (Spain/Arsenal), Jerome Boateng (Germany/Bayern Munich), Leonardo Bonucci (Italy/Juventus), Dani Carvajal (Spain/Real Madrid), Giorgio Chiellini (Italy/Juventus), Dani Alves (Brazil/Barcelona/Juventus), David Luiz (Brazil/Paris St Germain/Chelsea), Diego Godin (Uruguay/Atletico Madrid), Mats Hummels (Germany/Borussia Dortmund/Bayern Munich), Philipp Lahm (Germany/Bayern Munich), Marcelo (Brazil/Real Madrid), Javier Mascherano (Argentina/Barcelona), Pepe (Portugal/Real Madrid), Gerard Pique (Spain/Barcelona), Sergio Ramos (Spain/Real Madrid), Thiago Silva (Brazil/Paris St Germain) and Raphael Varane (France/Real Madrid).
Midfielders (15): Xabi Alonso (Spain/Bayern Munich), Sergio Busquets (Spain/Barcelona), Kevin De Bruyne (Belgium/Manchester City), Eden Hazard (Belgium/Chelsea), Andres Iniesta (Spain/Barcelona), N’Golo Kante (France/Leicester/Chelsea) Toni Kroos (Germany/Real Madrid), Luka Modric (Croatia/Real Madrid), Mesut Ozil (Germany/Arsenal), Dimitri Payet (France/West Ham), Paul Pogba (France/Juventus/Manchester United), Ivan Rakitic (Croatia/Barcelona), David Silva (Spain/Manchester City), Marco Verratti (Italy/Paris St Germain) and Arturo Vidal (Chile/Bayern Munich).
Strikers (15): Sergio Aguero (Argentina/Manchester City), Gareth Bale (Wales/Real Madrid), Karim Benzema (France/Real Madrid), Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal/Real Madrid), Paulo Dybala (Argentina/Juventus), Antoine Griezmann (France/Atletico Madrid), Gonzalo Higuain (Argentina/Napoli/Juventus), Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Sweden/Paris St Germain/Manchester United), Robert Lewandowski (Poland/Bayern Munich), Lionel Messi (Argentina/Barcelona), Thomas Muller (Germany/Bayern Munich), Neymar (Brazil/Barcelona), Alexis Sanchez (Chile/Arsenal), Luis Suarez (Uruguay/Barcelona) and Jamie Vardy (England/Leicester).
World Soccer Awards 2016: See who made the cut.
The 2016 World Soccer’s World Player of the year award has been released and topping the list is Real Madrid talisman, Cristiano Ronaldo This is the 4th time the Portuguese will be clinching the prize, he scooped it. Ronaldo has had a remarkable year and his achievements for both club and country in 2016 can never be ignored.
Sitting at the number two spot is Lionel Messi who lost the first position to his fierce rival with 130 votes. Also included in the list is Leicester City who completed one of the most remarkable stories in the history of English football by winning the 2016 Premier League title.
Full list below
| Rank | Name | Votes |
| 1st | Cristiano Ronaldo | 842 |
| 2nd | Lionel Messi | 712 |
| 3rd | Antoine Griezmann | 559 |
| 4th | Luis Suarez | 498 |
| 5th | Gareth Bale | 497 |
| 6th | Neymar | 405 |
| 7th | Riyad Mahrez | 134 |
| 8th | Robert Lewandowski | 117 |
| 9th | N’Golo Kante | 93 |
| 10th | Jamie Vardy | 87 |
Victor Moses is PFA Fans' Premier League Player of the Month
The rejected stone is now the cornerstone. This best describes Victor Moses this season.
The 25 year-old’s scintillating form has seen him win the PFA Fans’ Premier League Player of the Month of November.
The Nigeria International who became a regular starter for Antonio Conte has hit the net three times this season. He scored against Burnley in October, against current Champions, Leicester in October and also netted the winning goal for Chelsea last weekend during their 2-1 clash with Tottenham. He has also created 8 chances for the team this season.
”Delighted to receive the PFA Fans Player of the Month award.It mean a lot&I would like to thank my teammates,fans & everyone at Chelsea FC” He wrote.
Very deserving of the honour
Colombia plane crash: Ronaldo reportedly donates 3 million euros to the club and players' families
World’s most charitable sport star, Cristiano Ronaldo has reportedly donated 3 million Euros to the families of the Brazilian players who died in a plane crash in Colombia yesterday.
The Portuguese has supported a humber of charities including Unicef, Save The Children to mention a few. Last year, he donated 5 million Euros in Nepal shortly after earthquake killed over 8000 citizens of the country.
Plane carrying Brazilian football team crashes in Colombia
It’s a sad day for football.
A charter aircraft carrying members of Brazilian football team, Chapecoense reportedly crashed this morning in Colombia due to lack of fuel.
The team was to play Copa Sudamerica (equivalent to the Europa League in Europe) finals against Atletico Nacional on Wednesday in Medellin. The South American Football Confederation has confirmed that they are suspending all activities until further notice.
More than 75 people out of 81 on board have been feared dead.. Rescue operations have been halted due to rain.
May their souls of the departed find repose. Amen.
Kenneth Omeruo awarded 2016 Turkish Sports Personality of the Year.
Alanyaspor defender, Kenneth Omeruo, has been named the 2016 Turkish Sports Personality of the Year. The honour was bestowed on the former Nigerian player in recognition of his contributions in the support of African Entertainers based in Turkey.
Bye Legend! Beckham, Thierry, Suarez, others pay tribute to Steven Gerrard
There has been an outpour of heartfelt tributes to Liverpool legend, Steven Gerrard since he announced his retirement from professional football. yesterday. The likes of David Beckham, Luis Suarez, Lionel Messi, Fernando Torres, Patrice Evra, Frank Lampard have taken to their social media platforms to eulogize the former England captain and wish him a happy retirement.
In other news, reports claim Gerrard is close to agreeing a role to coach at LFC’s academy.
Barcelona’s Messi wrote: “Personally, I think Gerrard is England’s greatest ever player. I wish him a happy retirement.”
Kaka added : We were rivals for a long time and we lived unforgettable finals…@stevengerrard congratulations on your incredible career. Football is thankful to you. Happy retirement champion!
Patrice Evra said: “The most consistent English player and a real captain! What a player.”
” The Legend forever” Xabi Alonso wrote.
Thierry Henry chipped in. ” I’ve always said I would have loved to play with this man Steven Gerrard. What a legend and what a career. #Respect #Leader”
David Beckham’s Tribute below
Samuel Eto'o faces 10-year prison sentence and £12million fine
Cameroonian footballer, Samuel Eto’o has been accused of tax fraud in Spain.
El Pais reports that he defrauded Spanish tax authority of almost £3million from 2006 to 2009 during his spell at Barcelona. If found guilty, he could face at least 10 years in prison.
Eto’o allegedly ran two companies — Bulte 2002 in Spain and Tradesport in Hungary — and this allowed him to transfer his image rights between the two and avoid pay of tax.
Spanish prosecutors are not only seeking a prison term for the ex Chelsea forward, they are also demanding a fine of $15.1 million (£12million) for the four counts of tax fraud.
Gareth Bale ruled out for 4 months.
Real Madrid have confirmed that Gareth Bale will undergo surgery on an ankle injury and would be out for 4 months. The Welsh international suffered a traumatic dislocation of his peroneal tendons of his right ankle during his side’s Champions League game with Sporting Lisbon on Tuesday. He will no more feature in any game in 2016 and few months in 2017.
Steven Gerrard announces retirement from professional football.
We knew he was quitting the MLS but what we never saw coming was his decision to stop lacing the boots. Liverpool legend, Steven Gerrard has announced his retirement from professional football after an illustrious 19- year career. In a lengthy post he made on his instagram page, the 36 year-old thanked his teammates, coaches and family adding that he will announce the next stage of his career soon.
Following recent media speculation surrounding my future I can confirm my retirement from playing professional football.I have had an incredible career and am thankful for each and every moment of my time at Liverpool, England and LA Galaxy.
I feel very fortunate to have had the career I’ve had but none of it would have been possible without the support of so many people.
Firstly, I would like to thank everyone at Liverpool Football Club. I am proud to have played for and captained Liverpool for so many years and to have achieved what we achieved during my time at the club.
I was lucky to play alongside some great players and under some fantastic managers during my time at Anfield and would like to thank each and every one of them, as well as all of the backroom staff at the club for the fantastic support they showed me.
I would like to say a special thank you to Steve Heighway, Dave Shannon and Hugh McAuley for believing in me when I was making my way at Liverpool and for giving me the platform to go on and fulfil my dreams.
Thank you to the amazing fans of Liverpool, England and LA Galaxy for the incredible backing you have given me throughout my career. Your loyalty and support has meant the world.
I would like to thank Struan Marshall, my agent throughout my career, and the team at Wasserman for all of their support over the past 18 years.
I feel lucky to have had such a close group of friends that I have always been able to count and rely on throughout the course of my career. Thank you to all of you.
Finally, the most important thank you; to my family. I cannot thank my Mum, Dad and brother Paul enough for their unconditional support over the years, it has meant everything to me. To my wife Alex and children Lily, Lexie and Lourdes, thank you for the constant love and support you’ve shown me. You’ve been there through the good times and the bad and without you nothing would have been possible. Thank you for everything.
I am excited about the future and feel I still have a lot to offer the game. I am currently taking my time to consider a number of options and will make an announcement with regards to the next stage of my career very soon.
Steven Gerrard’s career honours:
League Cup – 3
FA Cup – 2
Champions League – 1
Community Shield – 1
UEFA Cup – 1
UEFA Super Cup – 1