ENGLAND DEFEATS SPAIN 5 - 2 IN U-17 FIFA WORLD CUP FINAL

ENGLAND defeated 5 - 2 SPAIN in the FIFA U-17 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS FINAL. It´s the only mayor title still left to be won by Spain & this was their fourth attempt.

The result was correct & well earned by the English which was simply more stronger physically & quicker than the Spaniards. Although Spain was able to get 0 - 2 the first 30th minutes, England made a spectacular comeback with the 2º half being all England.

The steamy Calcutta (India) weather did not help the Spaniards which added to their tiredness & this in turn lead to defensive mistakes in concentration & marking which allowed the English forwards to score their goals.

Notable in the England team was Brewster & Winger Folden which was dangerous all the final. The goalscorers were:

• Sergio Gomez 10th min, 0 - 1
• Sergio Gomez 31st min, 0 - 2
• Brewster 44th min, 1 - 2
• Gibbs, 58th min, 2 - 2
• Folden 69th min, 3 - 2
• Guehi 84th min, 4 - 2
• Folden 89th min, 5 - 2

Although Spain could not win this afternoon, their Championship has been outstanding & they keep the future of Spanish Football alive & well for the next 20 years. Well done boys!

Congratulations to England for the u-17 FIFA WORLD CUP

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FIFA THE BEST AWARD | 24 CANDIDATES LIST

FIFA has made public their list of 24 candidates for "FIFA THE BEST AWARD" for season 2016-2017. A chosen group of International Football journalist, along with National selectors, Captains & the general public who register with www.fifa.com have until the 7th of Septiembre to place their votes.

From here FIFA will make public the final three candidates of which one will be prized on the 23rd of Octubre in a ceremony to be held in Monaco.

Hot favourite is Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo, who is part of the list of Real Madrid players which dominate as candidates. 

List of candidates:

REAL MADRID CF: Cristiano Ronaldo, Kroos, Modric, Carvajal, Keylor, Sergio Ramos & Marcelo

FC BARCELONA: Messi , Luis Suarez & Iniesta


Aubameyang (Borussia Dortmund), Bonucci (Juventus FC), Dybala (Juventus FC), Griezmann (Atletico de Madrid), Hazard (Chelsea FC) Ibrahimovic (Manchester United) Kane (Tottenham), Lewandowski (Bayern) Alexis Sanchez (Arsenal FC), Arturo Vidal (Bayern Múnich), Kanté (Chelsea FC) & Neuer (Bayern Munich).

Notable absence from the list is Mbappe!

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FIFA BEST AWARDS | CRISTIANO RONALDO THE BEST 2016

FIFA handed this evening their "BEST AWARDS" after "breaking" with France Football which now gives the Golden Ball Award. As expected Real Madrid forward CRISTIANO RONALDO culminated 2016 with another prize, his 16th individual Award, this time with the "FIFA BEST PLAYER 2016".

The unfortunate news of the evening was the "boycott" by FC Barcelona which "did not allow" their nominated players: Iniesta, Pique, Luis Suarez & Messi ( also nominated for "Best 2016") to attend. The real reason is their disagreements with FIFA over "under-aged players" sanctions, & the fact the "Court of Arbitration in Sport" sanctioned in favour of Real Madrid for similar accusations. FC Barcelona believes FIFA favours Real Madrid, which in itself obviously needs to be proven. 

The action of not attending has damaged seriously FC Barcelona profile & their Worldwide image as their dominance of World Soccer begins to decline. What is worse, Lionel Messi has involved himself in all this racket being nominated as "Best Player" & we all will want to know if this decision was voluntary.

FC Barcelona has claimed officially that their players are concentrated for their upcoming Spanish Cup qualifier return match, a game they need to win to stay alive in the competition after losing 2 -1 away to Athletic Club Bilbao. Naturally no one believes this story as Barça has never given the Spanish Cup the "priority" they have until today.

In all case, the damage has been done image wise.

FIFA Best Player 2016
Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal / Real Madrid CF)

The voting was in the following porportions: 
Cristiano Ronaldo 34,54% Votes
Lionel Messi 26.42%
Griezmann 7,53%

Spanish Football dominated as well the Best XI team 2016... Real Madrid contributed to the best 11 with 5 players, while Barça had 4 & Atletico de Madrid was represented with Griezmann. The inexplicable part of this voting was that Griezmann was voted 3rd Best Player for 2016, but did not manage to make the Best XI. Again FIFA shows its incoherent side as in past Awards & has lifted some eyebrows. 

FIFA BEST 11 FIFPRO 2016:
GOALKEEPER: Neuer (FC Bayern Munich/ Germany)

DEFENCE: Alves (Barcelona y Juventus / Brazil), Pique (FC Barcelona / Spain), Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid / Spain) & Marcelo (Real Madrid / Brazil) 

MIDFIELDERS: Luka Modric (Real Madrid / Croatia), Toni Kroos (Real Madrid / Germany) & Andres Iniesta (FC Barcelona / Spain)

FORWARDS: Lionel Messi (FC Barcelona / Argentina), Luis Suarez (FC Barcelona / Uruguay) & Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid CF / Portugal)

OTHER FIFA BEST AWARDS:

FIFA Best Player Female 2016

Carli Lloyd (USA)

FIFA Best Coach 2016 Male

Claudio Ranieri (Italy/Leicester)

FIFA Best Coach 2016 Female

Silvia Neid (Germany)

Puskas Prize Best Goal 2016

Mohd Faiz bin Subri (Malaysia)

FIFA Honarific Prize for career (Indoor Football)

Falcao (Brazil)

Overall a great evening of mates & marketing to give World exposure to Football, FIFA & past players. The "family" always looks after "the family".

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LIONEL MESSI WINS GOLDEN BALL 2015

As expected FC Barcelona Argentinian star Lionel Messi was awarded this evening his 5th FIFA Golden Ball Award (2015) ahead of Real Madrid player Cristiano Ronaldo & FC Barcelona player Neymar. 

Little can be added to want is obvious, Lionel Messi enters the Olympia of World Soccer & Football History, perhaps as the "Greatest Player of all Time". Although debate will continue as everyone has their personal favourite from Pele, Di Stefano, Maradona, Zidane, Cruyff etc, but Messi has a firm & dominate place amongst them all. 

The FIFA Best XI was full of Spanish Liga players with 4 from Real Madrid & 4 from FC Barcelona. Spaniards included are Sergio Ramos & Andres Iniesta.

Full list of FIFA Best XI:
Neuer; Dani Alves, Thiago Silva, Sergio Ramos, Marcelo; Iniesta, Modric, Pogba; Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo & Neymar

The Best Coach for 2015 went to Spaniard & FC Barcelona Coach Luis Enrique who did not attend the ceremony as he prefers a much lower profile. 

FIFA Female Golden Ball 2015 winner was Carli Lloyd.

Congratulations to all the winners & Messi!

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SPANISH NATIONAL FEMALE SQUAD | CANADA 2015 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS

Female Spanish National Team Selector & Coach Ignacio Quereda has handed in the final of 23 players to represent Spain in the World Championships in Canada next month.

Goalkeepers: Ainhoa Tirapu (Athletic de Bilbao); Lola Gallardo (Atlético de Madrid) & Sandra Paños (Levante)

Defenders: Ruth García (Barcelona), Celia Jiménez (Alabama), Melanie Serrano (Barcelona), Marta Torrejón (Barcelona), Irene Paredes (Athletic), Leire Landa (Barcelona), Elisabeth Ibarra (Athletic), Ivana Andrés (Valencia)

Midfielders: Vero Boquete (Frankfurt), Silvia Meseguer (Atlético), Alexia Putellas (Barcelona), Jennifer Hermoso (Barcelona), Marta Corredera (Barcelona), Virginia Torrecilla (Barcelona).

Forwards: Sonia Bermúdez (Barcelona), Amanda Sampedro (Atlético), Priscila Borja (Atlético), Vicky Losada (Arsenal), Natalia Pablos (Arsenal), Erika Vázquez (Athletic).

First match in their Group will be the 9th of June in the city Montreal against Costa Rica. The second Group match will be the 13th against Brazil & the third game on the 17th against Korean Rep.


Good luck to the girls!

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FIFA RANKING | SPAIN 10TH PLACE

FIFA released this months World Ranking in Football-Soccer. As expected current World Champions Germany retain the top spot with 1,687pts with Argentina close second with 1,494pts. Surprisingly Spain remains in the Top 10 with 10th place with 1,132pts, taking into account some less than average performances in last official & friendly matches.

World Top 10 Ranking by FIFA:

.1) Germany 1.687 pts
.2) Argentina 1.494
.3) Bélgium 1.457
.4) Colombia 1.412
.5) Brazil 1.372
.6) Holland 1.301
.7) Portugal 1.221
.8) Uruguay 1.176
.9) Switzerland 1.135
.10) Spain 1.132

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TONI KROOS IFFHS BEST PLAY CREATOR FOR 2014

Spanish Football has been privileged to have on show week after week an extraordinary midfield & Football player like the German International Toni Kroos. The star signing for Real Madrid this season who has made everyone forget Xabi Alonso & has taken the midfield reigns.

The FIFA backed "International Federation of Football History & Statistics" - IFFHS - has named Toni Kroos the "Best Play Creator for 2014", just ahead of another Football giant like Lionel Messi of FC Barcelona. 

The list for 2014 is:

1. Toni Kroos (Bayern Munich/Real Madrid) - 110 votes
2. Lionel Messi (FC Barcelona) - 108 
3. James Rodriguez (Monaco/Real Madrid - 53
4. Andres Iniesta (FC Barcelona) - 38
5. Neymar (FC Barcelona) /Modric (Real Madrid) - 21
7. Ratikic (Sevilla/FC Barcelona) - 5


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REAL MADRID BEST CLUB THE WORLD 2014 | IFFHS

The FIFA backed "INTERNATIONAL FEDERATION OF FOOTBALL HISTORY & STATISTICS (IFFHS)" has updated their World Clubs Ranking. Spanish Football Club Real Madrid CF finished 2014 in 1ºst position thus claiming the "Best Football Club in the World" for 2014. Other Spanish Football Clubs like Atletico de Madrid, FC Barcelona & Sevilla FC are in the top 20, finishing third, fourth & in position twenty respectively.

IFFHS Ranking 2014:

1.- Real Madrid (Sp)
2.- Bayern Munich (Ger)
3.- Atletico de Madrid (Sp)
4.- FC Barcelona (Sp)
5.- Atletico Nacional (Colombia)
6.- Juventus (Italy)
7.- Arsenal (Eng)
7.- Napoli (Italy)
9.- River Plate (Argentina)*
9.- Salzburgo (Austria)
11- Chelsea (Eng)
12- Benfica (Portugal)
13- Paris Saint-Germain (Fr)
14- Cruzeiro (Brazil)
15- Oporto (Portugal)
16- Atletico Mineiro (Brazil)
17- Steaua de Bucarest (Romania)
18- San Lorenzo de Almagro (Argentina)
19- Sparta de Praga (Chec Rep)
20- Sevilla (Sp)

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FIFA - FRANCE FOOTBALL 2014 GOLDEN BALL AWARD LIST 23 CANDIDATES

FIFA & France Football published this morning the list of 23 candidates up for the "2014 FIFA Golden Ball Award". As expected Spanish Football is represented well with Real Madrid having 6 players: Sergio Ramos, Gareth Bale, Karim Benzema, James Rodriguez, Toni Kroos & Cristiano Ronaldo , while FC Barcelona has 4 players: Neymar, Iniesta, Mascherano & Messi.

It is now up to the National Teams Selectors & Captains, along with the designated World Football journalists to place their votes. The final 3 candidates will then be announced on the 1st of December to then have to wait until the 12th of January 2015 when the winner will be announced at the FIFA Gala in Zurich.

Full list (in alphabetical order) of the FIFA 2014 Golden Ball candidates :

Gareth Bale – Real Madrid

Karim Benzema – Real Madrid

Diego Costa – Atletico de Madrid / Chelsea

Thibaut Courtois – Atletico de Madrid / Chelsea

Cristiano Ronaldo – Real Madrid

Ángel Di María – Real Madrid / Manchester United

Mario Götze – Bayern Munich

Hazard – Chelsea

Ibrahimovic – PSG

Andres Iniesta – FC Barcelona

Toni Kroos – Bayern Munich – Real Madrid

Lahm – Bayern Munich

Javier Mascherano – FC Barcelona

Leo Messi – FC Barcelona

Thomas Müller – Bayern Munich

Neuer – Bayern Munich

Neymar – FC Barcelona

Paul Pogba – Juventus

Sergio Ramos – Real Madrid

Arjen Robben – Bayern Munich

James Rodriguez – Monaco / Real Madrid

Schweinsteiger – Bayern Munich

Yaya Toure – Manchester City

FIFA also published the list of "Best Coaches":

List of 10 candidates for "2014 FIFA Best Coach Award":

Carlo Ancelotti (Italy/Real Madrid CF)

Antonio Conte (Italy/Juventus), 

Pep Guardiola (Spain/FC Bayern de Múnich), 

Juergen Klinsmann (Germany/USA), 

Joachim Loew (Germany), 

Manuel Pellegrini (Chile/Manchester City FC), J

Jose Mourinho (Portugal/Chelsea FC), 

Alejandro Sabella (Argentina), 

Diego Simeone (Argentina/Atletico de Madrid), 

Louis Van Gaal (Holland/Manchester United FC).

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SPANISH FOOTBALL - LIGA - BEST LEAGUE IN THE WORLD

A popular question around World Football-Soccer circles is always, which National Football League competition is the Best in the World?

According to the FIFA backed "IFFHS" ( International Federation of Football History & Statistics ) the Spanish League - Liga - is the Best. Its the third consecutive year that Spanish Football is considered the Best in World Soccer by the IFFHS. The extraordinary performances of FC Barcelona, Real Madrid & Atletico de Madrid on the local & European stages has given the "Liga" more points over second placed English Premier League. 

IFHHS Ranking , Best World Football Leagues 2013

1. Spain (1155,002 pts)
2. England (1128,003)
3. Germany (1056,004)
4. Italy (927,005)
5. Brazil (896,006)
6. Argentina (868,007)
7. France (796,008)
8. Russia (739,509)
9. Colombia (724,5010)
10. Romania (722,50)

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IFFHS ANNOUNCES VICENTE DEL BOSQUE BEST NATIONAL COACH 2013

The FIFA backed "IFFHS" ( International Federation of Football History & Statistics ) has announced their list of the "Best National Team Selectors-Coaches" for 2013. The winner in the Nº1 positon with 161 pts is Spanish Football Team Coach Vicente Del Bosque, followed by German Coach Joachim Low in second position with 101 points.

Vicente Del Bosque has been leading the Spanish National Football Team since 2008 & has won two European Nations Cups ( 2008 & 2012 ) & the FIFA World Cup in 2010.

Best National Team Selector-Coach for 2013 according to IFFHS:

1.- Vicente Del Bosque (Spain) 161 pts.
2.- Joachim Löw (Germany) 101
3.- Luis Felipe Scolari (Brazil) 74
4.- Marc Wilmonts (Belgium) 54
5.- José Pekerman (Colombia) 40
6.- Alejandro Sabella (Argentina) 23
7.- Óscar Tabarez (Uruguay) 11
8.- Cesare Prandelli (Italy) 9

9.- Jürgen Klinsmann (EE.UU) 8.

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IFFHS NAMES ANDRES INIESTA THE "BEST PLAYMAKER" FOR 2013

The FIFA backed IFFHS ( "International Federation of Football History & Statistics" ) has announced that Spanish International & FC Barcelona midfielder Andres Iniesta is the 2013 "Best Playermaker" in World Football-Soccer.

The Spaniard beats German International & Arsenal FC player Mesut Ozil who finished 2º. The top 8 positions has uo to 4 Spanish players highlighting their "Football speciality". Past winners of note have been Zinedine Zidane (2006), Kaka (2007) & FC Barcelona team-mate Xavi Hernandez (from 2008 to 2011). Note the dominance of Xavi Hernandez who has been named winner of this Award 4 years in a row.

IFFHS "Best Playmaker" Classification for 2013
.1. Andres Iniesta (SP/FC Barcelona) 132 pts
.2. Mesut Özil (GER/Real Madrid/Arsenal) 94
.3. Andrea Pirlo (ITA/Juventus) 78
.4. Bastian Schweinsteiger (GER/Bayern Múnich) 61
.5. Xavi Hernandez (SP/FC Barcelona) 56
.6. Yaya Toure (IVC/Manchester City) 21
.7. Toni Kroos (GER/Bayern Múnich) 10
.8. David Silva (SP/Manchester City) 6
.+. Juan Mata (SP/Chelsea) 6

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FIFA - FRANCE FOOTBALL GOLDEN BALL 2013 | IS CRISTIANO RONALDO ALREADY THE WINNER ?

Tomorrow night we will have a new ( or renewed ) "King of World Football". FIFA-France Football will announce the winner of the "2013 FIFA Golden Ball Award" in Zurich in front of a "creme de la creme" audience from three candidates: Franck Ribery (Bayern Munich), Lionel Messi ( FC Barcelona) & Cristiano Ronaldo ( Real Madrid ).

Whoever of these three "Titans of Football" is proclaimed the winner, the controversy will be assured. Not everyone will be in accord or happy with the announcement. From a collective point of view, Franck Ribery deserves the prize after helping Bayern Munich with German League, German Cup & Champions League. However, as seen in 2010 when Spanish star Andres Iniesta won the World Cup with Spain, he too deserved it then but was ousted by team-mate Lionel Messi on individual criteria. Lionel Messi has had a "troubled" second half of 2013 with injuries which has lowered his form & kept him out of the playing fields months but his "pedigree" cannot be questioned . While Cristiano Ronaldo has been a true "Hurricane" with goals in 2013 with unbelievable numbers, but he has not won a "Collective" title with Real Madrid. There are plenty of ingredients to open debate & keep it heated for hours & hours, even days & weeks.

The FIFA - France Football Golden Ball has lost credibility in recent years which is a real pity. The accusations of fixing, economic interests & knowledge of winners before the ceremony has blemished the "concept". This year an added controversy was added when FIFA re-opened & extended the voting to included the World Cup European Groups qualifiers for Brazil 2014 which included the Portugal - Sweden tie that saw Cristiano Ronaldo single handedly put his Nation into the World Cup. Many saw this as giving Cristiano Ronaldo the advantage & even candidate Franck Ribery announced to media that he was "disgusted" with the FIFA decision to extend the period of votes. 

So who will win?

Everything indicates that Cristiano Ronaldo will win. There is circumstantial evidence:

• the massive "media campaign" to his favour in the last months.
• numerous surveys that indicate CR7 will win. Surveys that include direct contact with voters around the World to get their votes,  independent of the supposed contractual "confidentiality clause" that FIFA places.
• the changing of mind from Ronaldo that he will now attend the Award Gala. The Portuguese star announce his NO ATTENDANCE after FIFA President Blatter showed his preference for Messi & "offended" him with a ridiculous impersonation.
• the decision of Cristiano Ronaldo to travel to Zurich with all his family . This last point is very significant.

Added to the above, there are "dark room" indicators that "influencers" called for some fresh air for the Award as it gets "monotonous" Lionel Messi winning every year, along with the mayor Sportswear Multinationals & sponsors calling "its our turn for a piece of the pie" & change.

If the above is all true ( now its speculation ) it puts in doubt the FIFA message of "...the winner is securely locked away in a Swiss vault & comes out to the public on the day of the ceremony"...story. Although we all know that France Football has to do a complete "photo session" with the winner weeks before to get its special "Golden Ball Award" issue on the streets the next day of formal announcement.

Either way, tomorrow all doubts or rumoured knowledge will be formalized. Whoever wins the controversy will be assured, & extras doubts exposed over a prize of this category that should be completely rid off, & should be only known for its coherency, independence & transparency.  But nothing with FIFA lately ( Qatar World Cup,  for example ) has any of the three.

Good luck to all three candidate,  & may the "better" win.

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DIEGO SIMEONE 3 RD BEST COACH FOR 2013 ACCORDING TO IFFHS

The FIFA backed "IFFHS" ( International Federation of Football History & Statistics ) has released its list of the "Best World Football - Soccer Coaches for 2013". The Top Spot without any surprise goes to a deserved ex-Bayern Munich Coach Jupp Heynckes with 216 pts,  thus being "crowned" "Best Coach for 2013".

Argentine Diego Simeone Coach of Spanish Football Club Atletico de Madrid breaks into the scene with an impressive 3rd position, with the only Spanish Coach Josep Guardiola of Bayern Munich making an appearance in the 5th position.

The appearance of Diego Simeone again puts doubts upon the credibility of the "FIFA - France Football Awards" , as in this mentioned case, Simeone was not even on the list of candidates that could opt as "Best Coach 2013". Need we say more ...

IFFHS Best Football - Soccer Coaches for 2013

1 Jupp HEYNCKES (FC Bayern München) 216 pts
2 Jürgen KLOPP (Borussia Dortmund) 101 
3 Diego SIMEONE (Club Atlético de Madrid) 61 
4 Alex FERGUSON (Manchester United FC) 33 
5 Josep GUARDIOLA (FC Bayern München) 30 
6 Arsène WENGER (Arsenal FC) 29 
7 José MOURINHO (Real Madrid CF/Chelsea FC) 10 
8 Antonio CONTE (Juventus Torino FC) 3  / Jorge JESUS (Sport Lisboa e Benfica ) 3 

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IFFHS RELEASES THE TOP WORLD SOCCER - FOOTBALL CLUBS FOR 2013

The FIFA backed "IFFHS" ( International Football Federation of History & Statistics ) has published its rankings for the "Best World Football Club" for 2013. The top place is not a surprise as Bayern Munich virtually won every important title. Its the first time since IFFHS has been established that a German Club reaches the Nº 1 spot

In the Spanish Football case the top Spanish Club is Real Madrid in second place with Atletico de Madrid in fourth. FC Barcelona falls to the 5th place in the IFFHS World Club Ranking

IFFHS Club Classification 2013:

1. Bayern Munich (Germany) 370 pts
2. Real Madrid (Spain) 290
3. Chelsea (England) 273
4. Atletico de Madrid (Spain) 251
5. FC Barcelona (Spain) 247
6. Paris Saint-Germain (France) 240
7. Basilea 1893 (Switzerland) 239
8. Atletico Mineiro (Brazil) 238
+. Tottenham Hotspur (England) 238
10. Benfica (Portugal) 232

18. Sevilla (Spain) 208
53. Valencia (Spain) 159
81. Real Sociedad (Spain) 137
83. Betis (Spain) 136

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SPAIN Nº 1 FOOTBALL - SOCCER NATION | SIXTH YEAR IN A ROW | FIFA RANKING

FIFA has released today its monthly World Rankings for December with Spain Nº1. The Spanish Football National Team finishes the year as the "Best Football Nation" & it is the 6th consecutive year that Spain finishes in the Nº1 position.

Incredible statistics & achievement which includes back to back European Nations Titles ( 2008 & 2012 ) & the 2010 FIFA World Champions Title. Now the big objective is to win back to back World Cup titles, a very difficult aim, but if done it would be historical.

FIFA Ranking - Top 10 - 19th of December 2013

1.SPAIN - 1507 pts.
2.Germany - 1318.
3.Argentina - 1251.
4.Colombia - 1200.
5.Portugal - 1172.
6.Uruguay - 1132.
7.Italy - 1120.
8.Switzerland - 1113.
9.Holland - 1106.
10.Brazil - 1102.

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FIFPRO - FIFA LIST OF FORWARD CANDIDATES | 4 SPANISH LIGA PLAYERS

After releasing the list of candidates for the Goalkeeper, Defenders & Midfield positions for the "FIFPRO-FIFA Best XI Team", today it was the turn of the 15 candidates for the forward positions. Aparte from the regulars Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Ibrahimovic, Lewandowski etc , Atletico de Madrid player Diego Costa makes his first appearance. This is a quantitative lift from past seasons & his career which parallels his top season reaching the World Football elite. There are 4 Spanish Liga players on todays list.

Remember more than 50.000 Professional Football Players from around the World have voted in the mentioned categories that will give the final "Best XI World Team" which will be presented at the FIFA-Golden Ball ceremony on the 13th of January 2014 in Zurich. The highest voted Football Player also receives 100.000€ which will be donated to Charity, in this case the International Red Cross. 

Full list of 15 forward candidates :

Sergio Agüero (Argentina / Manchester City FC), Mario Balotelli (Italy / AC Milan), Edison Cavani (Uruguay / AS Napoli - Paris Saint-Germain FC), Diego Costa (Spain / Atlético de Madrid), Neymar da Silva (Brazil / FC Barcelona), Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos (Portugal / Real Madrid CF), Didier Drogba (Ivory Coast / Galatasary SK), Radamel Falcao (Colombia / Atlético de Madrid - AS Monaco FC), Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Sweden / Paris Saint-Germain FC), Robert Lewandowski (Poland / Borussia Dortmund), Mario Mandzukic (Croatia / FC Bayern Munich), Lionel Messi (Argentina, FC Barcelona), Robin van Persie (Holland / Manchester United FC), Wayne Rooney (England/ Manchester United FC), Luis Suárez (Uruguay / Liverpool FC).

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FIFA ANNOUNCE THE FINAL THREE CANDIDATES FOR GOLDEN BALL AWARD 2013

The news released by FIFA - France Football is a "no News". As expected the final three candidates up for the FIFA France Football Golden Ball Award - Best World Footballer 2013 - are Cristiano Ronaldo ( Real Madrid CF ), Franck Ribery ( Bayern Munich ) & Lionel Messi ( FC Barcelona ).

The winner will be announced in Zurich (Switzerland) on the 13th of January 2014. The Award will be given under controversy as the continual "FIFA fumbles & errors" has harmed its credibility with accusations of fixing in recent years & more so these final months. Which ever of the three players finally wins the Award they will be criticised as the opinions are split on all fronts.

In the "Best Coach 2013" the three candidates are Jupp Heynckes (Bayern Munich), Jurgen Klopp (Borussia Dortmund) & Ferguson (Manchester United). The three candidates for "Best Goal 2013" are Ibrahimovic, Matic y Neymar.

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SPAIN IN GROUP B WITH HOLLAND, CHILE & AUSTRALIA | WORLD CUP 2014 BRAZIL

The current FIFA World Champions SPAIN knows which Football Nations will be their Group rivals in next years World Cup 2014 to be held in Brazil after the celebration of the draws in Salvador ( Brazil ).

Spain will head Group B with Holland , Chile & Australia all joining in what is one of the more difficult Groups of the tournament. The other "death Group" is D with Uruguay, Costa Rica, England & Italy. 

courtesy of "marca"

The first match for Spain in Group B will be against Holland on the 13th of June in Salvador de Bahia. Spain will then play its second game against Chile in Rio de Janeiro on the 18th of June, while the last Group match for Spain will be against Australia in Curitiba on the 23rd of June. The interesting extra news piece from this Group is that the final "second placed" Nation will play the Winner of Group A which could be Brazil as everyone is expecting.  

From the Spanish Team perspective the team that everyone was wishing to avoid is Chile & destiny has put the latter in the same Group as Spain. Chile has a very solid outfit with an extraordinary midfield lead by Arturo Vidal ( Juventus FC ) with pressures & a talented forward line lead by Alexis ( FC Barcelona ). 

Thus the countdown definitely begins. Spain vs Holland 21.00 hrs Spanish time the 13th of June 2014. Spain has some hard work ahead to reach that date fresh, concentrated & in their best possible form.

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VICTOR VALDES - IKER CASILLAS CANDIDATES FIFA FIFPRO WORLD XI

The candidates in the Goalkeeping category have been released for the FIFA FIFPro World XI to be announced on the 13th of January 2014. Two Spanish Football Players are on the list, FC Barcelona Victor Valdes & Real Madrid Iker Casillas. 

The other three candidates are Neuer of Bayern Munich, Buffon of Juventus & Petr Chech of Chelsea FC.

The voters are all the World Football Professionals which are asked yearly to pick their choice of the Best player for the goalkeeping, defender, midfield & forward categories. From this list the World XI will be chosen & given their prize at the FIFA Golden Ball ( World Player ) Award ceremony.

The candidates for defenders, midfielders & forwards will be released respectively the 4th, 6th & 9th of December.
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