Best Fifa Football Awards 2019: Things you might have missed

Posted November 20, 2019

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From Steve Sutcliffe
BBC Sport
The finest Fifa Football awards were filled with sophistication, elegance and swankiness in the Teatro alla Scala of Milan.
Liverpool’s Jurgen Klopp and barcelona’s Lionel Messi came up trumps in the men’s player and best men’s trainer groups.
United States ahead Megan Rapinoe won the women’s player, with her boss Jill Ellis claiming the women’s trainer award.
However there was lots going on away from the real handing from the prizes, by the approaches of voting to some and one or two impressive outfits.
With more than 400 managers, gamers and press agents voting for the very best men’s player (each picking a first, second and third choice), Cristiano Ronaldo unexpectedly found common ground with Mauritania captain Abdoul Ba along with his Eswatini counterpart Dlamini Banele.
How, you may ask? Well, they were the only three people to select Netherlands defender Matthijs de Ligt because their pick.
Was it a case of strategic voting from Ronaldo, who was able to exclude winner Lionel Messi? Or a show due to his Juventus team-mate that is present?
At the 2018 voting Ronaldo omitted his old rival Messi.
Messi did include Ronaldo as his choice that is next supporting Sadio Mane. Virgil van Dijk, the other major candidate for the player award of the men, went before Mane and his Liverpool team-mates Mohamed Salah with Messi.
Talking of Ronaldo…
There was a moment when the Fifa Fifpro Men’s Team of the Year was announced.
Ten names were read , in formation. Ten players – all current on the stage – lined up. And the hosts moved on into the prize.
The absentee? Ronaldo, whose name was not called out but whose inclusion was confirmed by Fifa website.
Why was the Portugal captain not there? Juventus traveling to Brescia on Tuesday, only 24 hours after director Maurzio Sarri and the glitzy ceremony has implied Ronaldo might not feature because of muscular fatigue.
The 60-mile journey was made by juve team-mate De Ligt to Milan, and it is a neat stopping-off point given its place between Brescia and Turin.
Messi is also due to be in action on Tuesday. His 90-minute flight home to Spain could have taken more then Ronaldo’s driveway back to Turin.
Whatever the reason for his absence, Ronaldo was happy enough on Tuesday evening, submitting this Instagram message as the service reached its completion.
“Patience and persistence are two characteristics that differentiate the professional from the amateur,” he said.
“Everything that’s big today has begun small. You can’t do anything, but do whatever you can to make your dreams come true. And keep in mind that after night always comes sunrise.”
In a year when a member of the staff of director Marcelo Bielsa was caught spying out Derby County’s practice ground, a reasonable play award for Leeds seemed distinctly unlikely.
However, the Championship club and also their 64-year-old director – who also called a news conference to spell out his own spying were rewarded following the Argentine’s intervention during their match against Aston Villa in the conclusion of last year.
While Villa’s Jonathan Kodjia sought care, with Villa’s players stopping in the expectation the ball would be kicked out mateusz Klich had shopped for Leeds.
Bielsa ordered his players to allow Villa to equalise.
Former England defender Micah Richards definitely amazed. “That’s got to be a joke!” He said on BBC Radio 5 Live.
His captain Harry Kane and england director Gareth Southgate were at one. Both plumped for Ronaldo Messi and Virgil Van Dijk, though the Tottenham forward Kane chose Van Dijk moment.
Scotland head coach Steve Clarke went with Kylian Mbappe Van Dijk along with Sadio Mane, together with his captain Andy Robertson selecting Liverpool team-mate Van Dijk ahead of Mane and Frenkie de Jong.
Wales boss Ryan Giggs went for Ronaldo, Messi and Van Dijk, although former priest Ashley Williams opted for Van Dijk, Eden Hazard and De Jong.
Northern Ireland director Michael O’Neill chose on Mohamed Salah Van Dijk and Messi, and captain Steven Davis went for Messi, Van Dijk and Mane.
They barely registered a mention, Even though Manchester City became the first English club to acquire a domestic treble in 2018-19.
They had eight players however Raheem Sterling, Sergio Aguero and Bernardo Silva were all overlooked.
So too was boss Pep Guardiola, who lost out at the men’s trainer group to Klopp.
Apparently documenting the second-highest points tally from Premier League history – 98 – and winning three trophies just isn’t quite enough.
There were some remarkable outfits on screen. Perfect time given the service happened on the final day of Milan Fashion Week…
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A story of deceit, greed and herd madness
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