FIFA Ballon d’Or 2013: Stupidest or most biased ballots

On Monday, FIFA announced the 2013 Ballon d’Or award was won by Real Madrid superstar Cristiano Ronaldo. He beat out Barcelona’s Lionel Messi and Bayern Munich’s Franck Ribery, who were also on the short list. Captains of international teams get votes and sometimes they make stupid or extremely biased decisions.

Let’s start with Ronaldo’s ballot. Ronaldo did not vote for himself, instead he voted for two other Real Madrid players though. He voted for new teammate Gareth Bale and former teammate Mesut Özil, who is now currently with Arsenal. He didn’t put either of them first, he gave that honor to former derby rival Radamel Falcao who played for Atletico Madrid before making the move to AS Monaco. He chose to leave Lionel Messi off his ballot.

Ronaldo’s ballot:

1. Radamel Falcao
2. Gareth Bale
3. Mesut Özil

Lionel Messi got a vote as captain of Argentina. He voted straight Barcelona for the award for the best male player in the world. He didn’t vote for himself to win the award though. A clear snub towards Ronaldo.

Messi’s ballot:

1. Andres Iniesta
2. Xavi
3. Neymar

Belgium captain Vincent Kompany voted for Ribery, than his teammate Yaya Toure and countryman Eden Hazard. He left off both Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.

Colombia captain Mario Yepes voted for countryman Radamel Falcao, not a bad ballot but a bit biased. He left Ronaldo off and voted for Ribery second and Messi third.

Congo DR captain went straight Barcelona, wonder who his favorite team is. Here is his ballot:

1. Andres Iniesta
2. Neymar
3. Lionel Messi

England captain Steven Gerrard gave the nod to Ronaldo, then Messi. In third he voted for Luis Suarez. I think this is a good way to vote for a teammate who is worthy of the discussion but maybe not the win.

Degu Debebe Gebreyes, captain of Ethiopia voted for Xavi, then Andrea Pirlo and Thomas Muller. None of whom were in the final three and only one of whom made the FIFPro World XI.

The captain from Georgia voted for Iniesta, then Pirlo, then Edinson Cavani. Again, only one of whom made the FIFPro World XI.

Italian captain Gianluigi Buffon voted for Pirlo ahead of Ronaldo, then Messi. Biased definitely, but not horrendous.

The Madagascar voted for Paris St-Germain defender Thiago Silva to win, followed by Bale, then Messi. Not horrible, but certainly unconventional. Mozambique’s captain went the same route giving a first-place nod to Bayern Munich defender Philipp Lahm.

Netherland’s captain Robin van Persie voted for his country man Arjen Robben in first-place. He also voted for Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Cristiano Ronaldo in that order. Biased, but Robben had a big year and big Champions League final.

Norway’s captain voted for Bayern Munich midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger first, than Ibrahimovic and Ronaldo. Odd ballot, but Schweinsteiger is a solid player.

Slovakia captain Martin Skrtel voted for his Liverpool teammate Luis Suarez, followed by Ronaldo and Messi. Suarez has had a big year and he was certainly deserving but it is a bit biased.

Uruguayan captain Diego Lugano voted for his countrymen, Suarez first and Cavani second. He gave Messi, another South American star the third nod, definitely biased.

Wales captain Ashley Williams put Welshman Bale first.