Danilo played meia a lot in santos. And I don't think he's comparing based on how they play, but their impact, such as a RB that will be there a longtime
You're still looking at a player that won best RB in the world 3 years in a row, recently. That's a compliment, which is where Roberto Carlos probably wanted to go with his comment. No other RB has done what Alves done recently. So to compare him to D.Alves is to compare him to the most successful RB in European history.
Phillip Lahm, a current player, not even historical, has had a much more successful career overall and is the better player right now and has been for years, so I don't see how Alves comes even close to the title of most successful RB in European history.
That's considering that those awards reflect reality, which in many cases, they don't. Most successful RB in European history? If you are going off purely accolades, Gary Neville has him beat.
Phillip Lahm hasn't been recently voted 3 years in a row best RB in the world, only D. Alves has done that. that's how I came to this conclusion... Oh also the titles.
Then we shouldn't add any award in any discussions, I think the Ballon D'Or has turned into a circus and a "best offensive player in the world" yet people still use that as the way to judge talent.
Voted "best RB in the world"? You don't think marketability and popularity has just as much to do with that as performance? Really?
Just curious -- who has gotten a raw deal in the Balon d'Or voting then? I think most would agree that offensive players were the best in the world for the past 7-8 years. In general, I do agree. It took a ridiculous WC by Cannavaro to breakthrough.
I can't agree with that, we've seen dominant defending from more than 1 player (Ramos and T.Silva) and dominant GK from Buffon and Neuer. We've also seen Xavi!! I MEAN ********ING XAVI!!! and he gets no best player?
Why should awards which are proven popularity contests mean anything while assessing on-field performance though?
The fact that Alves won those three straight awards in years where he declined and clearly didn't deserve them tells the story (especially in 2013). The fact Alves had been in very good form prior to that and was playing on the best team on the planet led to those awards (like you said, popularity). Alves' best years for Barca were in 2008-10 and he only won once during those years. Heck, he was better at Sevilla than he was at Barca during 2011-13.
Regardless of how difficult or easy it is, I don't consider the FIFPro XI to be at all valid when assessing a player's performance.
Which years were either Ramos or Silva more dominant than their offensive counterparts? I agree that the awards are biased against goalkeepers. That's another story. This past year's award probably should have gone to Neuer.
It has its value I believe. FIFPro to me is more valid than Ballon D'Or since it judges based on position.
How so? They don't always select defensive midfielders or left backs some years. It's almost as bad as the Pro Bowl. The only reason it isn't is because players opt out from the Pro Bowl and the sixth alternate gets Pro Bowl recognition. Anyways, the concept (initial selection of Pro Bowl players) are basically the same -- popularity, member on hottest team, etc. factor into the decision more than actual level of play. In most cases, even stats don't backup the selections.
Forgot to add Puyol to that list, and his influence is clear. During the time of Silva and Nesta in AC Milan, Silva clearly out shone much of his offensive counter parts. The Milan Defense was straight up solid and most of the reason for that was him.
At least they give more options GK, DF, MF, FW instead of .. just forwards and somebody from another position that had his best year EVER By the way defensive lineman make the Pro Bowl and get contracts based on that. They'll never win MVP even if they don't give up a sac all year. MVP is not as fair as PRO Bowl.
Yes I am, for his position he was more dominant than the latter for their position 2010-2011 season for example. Silva was more important for his team than the other 2 was for their team also.