Most football followers all over the world would acknowledge that Inter striker Diego Milito was the best forward in Europe in the 2009-10 season. Not only did the Argentina international win a historic treble with the Nerazzurri, he was their main player up front too and main goalscorer, finding the target against Chelsea, Barcelona and Bayern Munich in the Champions League as well as scoring in the Coppa Italia final against Roma and 22 goals in Serie A.
However, Milito was sensationally omitted from the 23-man shortlist for the FIFA Ballon d’Or award and the decision sent people across the world into fury. Goal.com’s Carlo Garganese explained in his article just why Milito deserves to be recognised as one of the 23 best players in the world in 2010. Goal.com readers from virtually every country have been leaving their comments on this scandalous issues and here are a few of them.
Andre from Indonesia says: “I am a Juventus fan and I hate Inter too, but yes, FOOTBALL IS DEAD.”
Daniel from Toronto is not surprised at the decision and explains, “Hasn't anyone learned yet? Since when does the Ballon d'Or actually produce a list of players who should be there?
“It could be a prestigious trophy if only the right players were nominated and FIFA was run by people with more than half a brain.”
Javed Hussain from England adds, “FIFA are a joke. This award is basically for those who were the best players at the 2010 World cup and they forgot all the football played before then.
“For example, Mesut Oezil. Yes, great talent but did he really do enough to be on the list? Wayne Rooney and Diego Milito scored 30 or so goals each and they did not! GYAN AND KLOSE???? OH, PLEASE!”
Like many others Alex Ofori from Ghana is perplexed at the inclusion of Asamoah Gyan ahead of Milito and writes: “I cannot compare Asamoah to Milito. It is impossible. Milito is a Champions League winner, and not just a winner but scorer of both the goals in the final against Bayern Munich. Milito’s name missing from the Ballon d’Or list means that football is dead indeed.”
Adam in Budapest simply says, “Who cares about the Ballon d’Or?”
However, a reader named Emir, the Kop is not concerned with the omission of Milito and simply remarks, “Diego Who??”
In addition to the readers, some football figures too have criticised the omission of Milito.
Inter president Massimo Moratti: "I am very sorry for the exclusion of Diego Milito from the list of candidates for the Ballon d'Or. I called him to tell him that it's an incredible decision."
Genoa (Milito’s former club): "An injustice has been done. Diego Milito has not been included in the 23 candidates for the Ballon d'Or.
"It is a serious error, if you consider the role Il Principe di Bernal had in winning the Scudetto, but most of all the Champions League for Inter.
"The only mitigating factor, which was not enough of a reason, was at the showcase of the World Cup he mainly observed from the bench."
Milito himself, though, has remained calm and gentlemanly and has remarked: "I want to thank those who publicly and privately made me feel their support.”