FRANCE FOOTBALL GOLDEN BALL AWARD 2008: 5 CANDIDATES

Spanish daily "Marca" has run the story on this years upcoming
France Football Golden Ball Award. According to most experts

it´s a "5 horse" race, as France Football cuts its list to 30 candidates

on the 21st of October.

CRISTIANO RONALDO (Manchester United)
The hot favourite. However, doubts have set in after a very poor
Euro2008 performance & poor start in this seasons Premier League

due to his ankle operation.

LIONEL MESSI (FC Barcelona)
His evolution is steady & improving, his is currently at & beyond the
level of Cristiano Ronaldo. An Olympic Gold medal & a great start to
the Spanish League has put him up there & if he can put in some more
great exhibitions he will be very close.

FERNANDO TORRES (Liverpool FC)
The Golden boy of Spanish & now World Football. Great media

attraction, he complements it with goals, lots of goals. Vital part

of his team in Premier & Champions with decisive goals, apart
for the Spanish National team - the winner in the Euro 2008
final against Germany.

IKER CASILLAS (Real Madrid CF)
The Real Madrid goalkeeper has had an extraordinary last season. He

stopped everything & saved his team from defeats. Won the Spanish
League title & Euro 2008 stopping 2 penalties against Italy in the
Q/Finals. However, goalkeepers have´nt a good record in this award
as they are not as media "attractive" as forwards