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Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo Or Xavi - Who Should Win The 2011 Fifa Ballon d'Or?
As the countdown begins to the unveiling of the best player in the world, Goal.com asks its readers to vote for the most deserving candidate
06-Jan-2012 3:10:00 PM
Ballon d'or
On Monday January 9 in Zurich, the best player in the world for 2011 will be crowned.
For a third year in a row, the Fifa Ballon d'Or - previously just the Ballon d'Or - is dominated by players who ply their craft in Spain's La Liga.
Reigning world player of the year Lionel Messi of Barcelona and Argentina, last year's second runner-up Xavi of Barcelona and Spain, and 2008 winner Cristiano Ronaldo of Real Madrid and Portugal are the three nominees for the 2011 award ... the same three finalists in the 2009 edition.
But who will emerge triumphant this time around? Can Messi join an illustrious list of legends such as Johan Cruyff, Michel Platini and Marco van Basten and become a three-time winner, and only the second player ever after Platini to claim it three years in succession?
Will Ronaldo win the award for the second time in his career, or will he have to settle for second-place for a third occasion? Or will Xavi finally be anointed as the best in the world for the first time?
How do you stay up with football when on the move? With http://m.goal.com –your best source for mobile coverage of the beautiful game.
For a third year in a row, the Fifa Ballon d'Or - previously just the Ballon d'Or - is dominated by players who ply their craft in Spain's La Liga.
Reigning world player of the year Lionel Messi of Barcelona and Argentina, last year's second runner-up Xavi of Barcelona and Spain, and 2008 winner Cristiano Ronaldo of Real Madrid and Portugal are the three nominees for the 2011 award ... the same three finalists in the 2009 edition.
But who will emerge triumphant this time around? Can Messi join an illustrious list of legends such as Johan Cruyff, Michel Platini and Marco van Basten and become a three-time winner, and only the second player ever after Platini to claim it three years in succession?
Will Ronaldo win the award for the second time in his career, or will he have to settle for second-place for a third occasion? Or will Xavi finally be anointed as the best in the world for the first time?
| 2011 FIFA BALLON D'OR FINAL THREE |
 Messi  |
 Ronaldo |
Xavi  |
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| 2007: Third 2008: Second 2009: Winner 2010: Winner |
2007: Second 2008: Winner 2009: Second |
2009: Third 2010: Third |
How do you stay up with football when on the move? With http://m.goal.com –your best source for mobile coverage of the beautiful game.
Make Your Prediction
Argentina - Brazil
Argentina
Brazil
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Most Popular Predictions
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Argentina 2-1 Brazil
- 15.07 %
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Argentina 3-1 Brazil
- 12.11 %
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Argentina 1-2 Brazil
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