Ballon d'Or: Ryan Giggs Profile

The Welshman makes the 30...

23-Nov-2009 8:44:00 AM

Players

Ryan Giggs

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RYAN GIGGS
Club: Manchester United
Country: Wales
Age: 24 (DOB November 29 1973)
Position: Midfielder
Previous Placings: None

The Welsh wonder showed no sign of ageing in 2009 as a return to form put him in the mix for the Ballon d’Or.

Decorated by his fellow Premier League colleagues with the Professional Footballer’s Association Player of the Year award, he also added an unprecedented 11th league title to Carling Cup and Club World Cup triumphs. Painful memories of Manchester United’s Champions League final defeat provide the only dampener.

Giggs has carried on where he left off last season by playing the star role for his club. The Ballon d’Or won’t rest on his mantelpiece, but he is an outside bet to be awarded a runner’s up spot.

Attributes

Continued his run of scoring in every Premier League campaign with his goal against Spurs on 12 September
Notched up his 800th appearance and 700th start for Manchester United
Fired home his 150th goal for the Premier League champions
Named in the PFA Team of the Year for the eighth time
Missed out on his first qualifying campaign for Wales since his international retirement

They Say...

"We have had a lot of top-class players in this league – and some have probably made more of an impact than Ryan [Giggs] – but nobody can boast the same sort of longevity and consistency. He was there when the league started and he is still there now. I think you would have to say Ryan [Giggs] is the best." Sir Alex Ferguson speaking to the Press Association.

Prediction

Giggs swept up at the PFA awards, but he will not repeat the trick for the Ballon d’Or. His previous international retirement and United’s failure to lift the European Cup leave him a strong contender to finish in the top 10.