Ballon d'Or 2014

Congratulations Cristino Ronaldo! He lifted the Ballon d'Or, 2014. Ronaldo deserves it. He made great difference to his team. Slew of Goals and assists fetched Ballon d'Or for the year 2014. But the trend of awarding Ballon d'Or is quite puzzling. The forward and attacking midfielder find the bright spot when it comes to awarding awards in Association Football.

Football is all about team. No one can relinquish his position on the field. But how come a striker or attacker alone rise to prominence while other are less significant. The German Goalkeeper Manuel Neuer who has good shot at the Ballon d'Or missed it in voting. This has raised uneasy questions. Is football all about scoring? I guess not. It's all about how good the player plays from the position given by the club managers. Neuer was exemplary with his stunning goalkeeping skills. Yet the audience fail to recognize him except for the few.

People all remember who made the team win but not about who helped them making it in field. Especially the stronghold guardian who foils opposition attack. In Football stronghold guardians need team skills than the forwards who can even play lone-wolf at contingency. FIFA is not to be blamed for sidelining Neuer. But it's mentality of the audience. They remember only the player who scores for them who provide spectacular celebrations not the people who stood the test of pressure.