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World Player of the Week: Mathieu Valbuena - Olympique de Marseille
Join Goal.com in saluting another player worthy of global recognition.
Dec 26, 2011 7:40:00 AM
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Welcome to Goal.com's regular feature: Goal.com World Player of the Week. Each week our worldwide team of editors will put forward a selected candidate, as chosen by Goal.com International, who deserves recognition for achieving something special that matchday. It won't necessarily be the best player in the world - at least not usually - but whoever we nominate will have accomplished something amazing. It might be for a particularly awesome performance or for something praiseworthy off the pitch - either way, the person in question deserves special attention...
Goal.com World Player of the Week #136: Mathieu Valbuena
Club: Olympique de Marseille
Country: France
Age: 27
Role: Midfielder
Achievement: Inspired Marseille to victory over Nancy
Olympique de Marseille midfielder Mathieu Valbuena had a poor autumn but he regained a fresh breath of life when he scored the winning goal against Borussia Dortmund in its 3-2 away win in the Champions League in the first week of December that saw them progress to the last 16.
Since then, the 27-year-old has looked good and inspired Marseille to a similar comeback against Lorient last weekend, scoring the equalizer with five minutes to go and then setting up the winner in stoppage time in its 2-1 victory.
Then, on Tuesday, Valbuena scored again, this time against Nancy, and grabbed an assist in the 3-1 victory that saw Marseille continue with their improved form.
Congratulations to Mathieu Valbuena, Goal.com's 136th World Player of the Week!
Honourable Mentions
Edgar Prib - Greuther Furth
Edgar Prib scored the decisive goal for Greuther Furth in their 1-0 victory over Nurnberg in the round of 16 of the DFB-Pokal. His goal on 15 minutes saw the second division side qualify for the quarter-finals of the German Cup.
Jose Callejon - Real Madrid
Jose Callejon has emerged as one of the best utility players for Real Madrid this season and he was crucial for Los Blancos over the past week. The Spanish forward scored against Sevilla in their 6-2 away win in the Primera Division last weekend before being sacrificed after Pepe’s red card. The 24-year-old was again on target - twice this time - against Ponferradina in their 5-1 victory at home in the Copa del Rey.
Daniel Sturridge - Chelsea
Daniel Sturridge has been a revelation for Chelsea this season as his goals, youthful exuberance and quality have aided the Blues in the attacking department. The 22-year-old was again on hand in the London derby against Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane, as he scored the equalizer in its 1-1 draw in the Premier League.
Goal.com World Player of the Week #136: Mathieu Valbuena
Club: Olympique de Marseille
Country: France
Age: 27
Role: Midfielder
Achievement: Inspired Marseille to victory over Nancy
Olympique de Marseille midfielder Mathieu Valbuena had a poor autumn but he regained a fresh breath of life when he scored the winning goal against Borussia Dortmund in its 3-2 away win in the Champions League in the first week of December that saw them progress to the last 16.
Since then, the 27-year-old has looked good and inspired Marseille to a similar comeback against Lorient last weekend, scoring the equalizer with five minutes to go and then setting up the winner in stoppage time in its 2-1 victory.
Then, on Tuesday, Valbuena scored again, this time against Nancy, and grabbed an assist in the 3-1 victory that saw Marseille continue with their improved form.
Congratulations to Mathieu Valbuena, Goal.com's 136th World Player of the Week!
Honourable Mentions
Edgar Prib - Greuther Furth
Edgar Prib scored the decisive goal for Greuther Furth in their 1-0 victory over Nurnberg in the round of 16 of the DFB-Pokal. His goal on 15 minutes saw the second division side qualify for the quarter-finals of the German Cup.
Jose Callejon - Real Madrid
Jose Callejon has emerged as one of the best utility players for Real Madrid this season and he was crucial for Los Blancos over the past week. The Spanish forward scored against Sevilla in their 6-2 away win in the Primera Division last weekend before being sacrificed after Pepe’s red card. The 24-year-old was again on target - twice this time - against Ponferradina in their 5-1 victory at home in the Copa del Rey.
Daniel Sturridge - Chelsea
Daniel Sturridge has been a revelation for Chelsea this season as his goals, youthful exuberance and quality have aided the Blues in the attacking department. The 22-year-old was again on hand in the London derby against Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane, as he scored the equalizer in its 1-1 draw in the Premier League.
Leave your notes of congratulations for Mathieu Valbuena below, or discuss who else deserves a place in the spotlight this week...
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