Right the Ballon d'Or shortlist. Let's look at the contenders:
Now considering those three "defensive" midfielders aren't really all that defensive anyway, and of the attacking midfielders one could argue that Muller, Ozil and Iniesta aren't averse to a bit of wing play, this seems a very, very strong bias to a certain type of player that does not reflect who the best footballers are.
Essentially, this award's top three are Manuel Neuer, Phillipp Lahm and Thiago Silva*, who by their very nomination have been considered the very best players in the world in their position. In Lahm's case, across two positions.
No manager would ever pick a team made up of predominantly forwards; this list is incompatible with the days of the bloody WM formation. While a predominance of attackers like this exists, it only serves to reinforce the view that FIFA thinks that the vast majority of a football team do not matter.
The very idea of picking a best footballer in the world is ridiculous, name me the guy on that list who is better than all the others at all the jobs on the pitch. Toure is the closest to a generalist on there. But the fact that the world seems to have misunderstood "best footballer" as "best attacker" is a tragedy and a shame. I would, admittedly, prefer to watch Messi than Busquets, Ronaldo than Ramos, Ribery than Boateng, Van Persie than Carrick, Lewandowski than Gundogan. But I'm sensible enough to say without the defenders, goalkeepers and midfielders, such brilliance would not be possible, or for nought.
And how many of Luis Suarez' 10 game ban did Liverpool actually win? It was too many to suggest that he's an influential figure, no? Now, let's look instead at Vincent Kompany...!
*Yes, I misspelt it
