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RONALDO STILL THE BEST
Portugal legend and Real Madrid forward, Cristiano Ronaldo retained his crown as the best footballer in the world as he was Monday named as the Best FIFA Men’s Player for the second year running.
The glamorous event was streamed live on FIFA TV monitored via the FIFA website.
Ronaldo was the overwhelming favourite among a trio that included his perennial rival, Lionel Messi and new contender to the crown, Neymar Jr.
Ronaldo played pivotal role in seeing Real Madrid winning the La Liga and Champions League double last season.
The former Manchester United forward remarked he was returning to England for the first time since his exit from Manchester United and his retuning to England had been fruitful.
He had edged out perennial rival Lionel Messi and the Argentinean’s former Barcelona team-mate Neymar to win the award, which he also claimed in its inaugural year in 2016.
Ronaldo’s successes with Madrid last term were crucial in him securing yet another individual accolade, with the 32-year-old scoring 42 goals across all competitions.
The most notable achievement for Madrid was becoming the first club to retain the Champions League title since its inception in 1992, and they also wrestled the domestic crown from bitter rivals Barcelona.
Ronaldo’s goals were vital on both fronts, with his haul of 25 in La Liga making him the division’s third top scorer behind Messi and Luis Suarez, while he also netted 12 in 13 Champions League matches, including two against Juventus in the final.
Speaking when he received his award at London Palladium, Ronaldo was quick to pay tribute to Messi and Neymar, who spent the evening sitting alongside him on the front row.
“Thank you, a lot, to the guys who voted for me. I must also mention Leo and Neymar, for being here,” he said.
“Real Madrid – the coach, the supporters and the president – they support all of the year so I say thank you to them.
“I’m really glad to win consecutive awards. This is a great moment for me. Thank you to all the fans around the world for the support. I appreciate that, thank you very much.
“It’s great to be here with these great players and I am so happy guys, thanks you so much.”
Although Messi’s season was not recognised with the individual gong, the Barcelona hero did enjoy a remarkable campaign on a personal level, scoring 54 goals in 52 games on all fronts, plus 16 assists.
It is the second successive year that Messi has finished runner-up to Ronaldo, while the former Manchester United attacker is also the favourite for the 2017 Ballon d’Or, having taken the honour last year.
That would tie the current era’s defining players on five Ballons d’Or apiece.
Neymar replaced Antoine Griezmann in this year’s top three, with the Brazilian having swapped Barcelona for Paris Saint-Germain in a world-record €222million transfer in August.
This is the second edition of the Best FIFA Football Awards, which are different to the Ballon d’Or.
A version of the Ballon d’Or has been awarded by France Football magazine since 1956, but world football’s governing body has ended its association with that honour.
Instead, it introduced the Best FIFA Football Awards, with Ronaldo the first recipient of its main prize in January.
Voting for the player and coach categories was by national team captains and managers, selected journalists and, for the first time, an online poll of fans.
Each counted for 25% of the total. Madrid dominated the awards ceremony; with boss Zinedine Zidane named Best FIFA Men’s Coach and Sergio Ramos, Marcelo, Sergio Ramos and Toni Kroos joining Ronaldo in the FIFA FIFPro XI of 2017.
Juventus veteran Gianluigi Buffon was named as Best FIFA Goalkeeper and also lined up in the dream team, while Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud claimed the Puskas Award for the best goal of the year – his remarkable overhead back heel volley against Crystal Palace in January.
Netherlands’ triumphant Euro 2017 campaign saw them dominate the women’s awards, with Sarina Wiegman named Best FIFA Women’s Coach and Lieke Martens scooping the player’s prize.
Mamelodi Sundowns and Ulsan HD had targeted their Group F opener as their best chance to get a win on the board at the Club World Cup, with Brazil’s Fluminense and German side Borussia Dortmund expected to advance from Group F.
South Africa’s Sundowns took all three points with a 1-0 win over the South Koreans and went top of the group after Fluminense drew 0-0 with Dortmund.
WHY IT’S IMPORTANT
African and Asian teams are not expected to make much of an impact at the new-look 32-team Club World Cup so points are like gold dust for the likes of the Sundowns and Ulsan.
KEY QUOTES
Miguel Cardoso, Mamelodi Sundowns coach: “We prepared tactically and strategically very well, and then we found a commitment between everybody. I think it was clear we made a very wonderful first half. It was important that we could keep the pace and not stray from the game plan in the second half, so that we could score a second goal that for little details or little centimetres, we could not do.”
Kim Pan-gon, Ulsan HD head coach: “We had targeted this game to win because we understand the other two teams in the group, Fluminense and Borussia Dortmund, are favourites. Our players gave their best efforts in this game and we’re very proud of their efforts. Now we need to recover quickly for the next game.”
-Reuters
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With a year until Mexico makes history as the first three-time World Cup host, the dream of a spectacular showcase is colliding with the practical challenges of modernising the iconic Azteca Stadium for global soccer’s premier event.
Beneath the imposing silhouette of Mexico’s football cathedral – where Pele dazzled with Brazil in 1970 and Maradona’s ‘hand of God’ propelled Argentina to glory in 1986 – construction crews tackle the formidable task of bringing one of the sport’s most storied venues into the 21st century.
The stakes are magnified as the ‘Santa Ursula colossus’ will host the tournament’s opening match, a global spectacle that will focus the world’s attention on Mexico from day one.
Renovations will expand the stadium’s capacity from 87,000 to 90,000, with upgrades centred on meeting FIFA standards through new changing rooms, enhanced hospitality zones, revamped VIP areas and additional seating in spaces previously occupied by boxes and lounges.
While government officials and football administrators envisioned the project as a symbol of national pride, the renovation process has eroded trust between developers, local residents and other stakeholders.
Stadium administrators announced in February that they had secured a 2.1 billion peso ($110.19 million) credit line from local financial group Banorte – along with a controversial new name: Estadio Banorte.
FIFA regulations mean the stadium will be referred to as “Estadio Ciudad de Mexico” during the World Cup, yet the rebranding has sparked a fierce backlash from some fans, who view it as sacrificing football heritage for commercial interests.
HARSH REALITY
The backlash over the stadium’s new name represents only one facet of the mounting tensions. Box and suite holders – some with relationships spanning decades – have threatened legal action after FIFA announced it would commandeer their seats during the tournament, overriding established contracts.
One member of the Mexican Association of Box Holders has already filed a legal challenge to defend access rights.
Beyond the stadium walls, frustration runs equally deep. Residents of Santa Ursula and surrounding neighbourhoods fear that promised infrastructure improvements like pedestrian bridges and transit lines will fail to address fundamental issues including inadequate lighting, water shortages and persistent traffic congestion.
“We’re not the stadium’s backyard,” one local resident told Expansion Politica. “But we’re always treated that way.”
By contrast, Guadalajara and Monterrey, Mexico’s other two host cities, face fewer obstacles.
Guadalajara’s 48,000-seat stadium, opened in 2010, has already hosted major events including the 2011 Pan American Games, while Monterrey’s 53,500-capacity venue, inaugurated in 2015, needs only minor upgrades – primarily new turf and a pitch ventilation system.
“We’ll install a system to ventilate and oxygenate the pitch before replacing the grass,” said Alejandro Hutt, Monterrey’s Host City Manager. “That will be an important legacy from the World Cup and beyond.”
As construction continues, Javier Aguirre’s Mexico squad are building towards a crucial summer, with a Gold Cup title defence ahead and friendly matches against Turkey this week, followed by Japan and South Korea in September.
After failing to advance beyond the group stage at Qatar 2022 – their worst World Cup performance since 1978 – Mexican fans crave more than just a well organised tournament. They want to see Mexico break the ‘fifth-game‘ curse and reach the quarter-finals for the first time since 1986, the last time they were World Cup hosts.
-Reuters
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All contenders are now known for this year’s President Federation Cup grand finale, following Saturday’s elimination of Edo Queens and Ibom Angels in the women’s semi-finals.
Multiple-winners Rivers Angels saw off the stiff challenge of Ibom Angels of Uyo 1-0 in Aba, while Nasarawa Amazons bumped Edo Queens 2-0 in Ayingba.
Cup holders Rivers Angels, who have won the competition nine times, will have their hands full against 2005 and 2019 champions Nasarawa Amazons of Lafia.
In the men’s competition, Abakaliki FC of Ebonyi are getting set to tackle Kwara United FC in the final.
Results of Semi Finals (Women)
- Rivers Angels (Rivers) 1-0 Ibom Angels (Akwa Ibom)
- Edo Queens (Edo) 0-2 Nasarawa Amazons (Nasarawa)
Results of Semi-Finals (Men)
- Abakaliki FC (Ebonyi) 0-0 Ikorodu City (Lagos) – Abakaliki FC win 5-4 on penalties
- Kwara United (Kwara) 1-0 Rangers Int’l (Enugu)
WOMEN’S FINAL
- Rivers Angels vs Nasarawa Amazons
MEN’S FINAL
- Abakaliki FC VS Kwara United
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