My opinion about player of the year 1* - best player based on throphies and accolades 2* - subjective best player based on his level of game. 1* 2010 – Iniesta 2009 - Messi 2008 - C.Ronaldo 2007 - Kaka 2006 - Cannavaro 2005 - Ronaldinho 2004 - Shevchenko 2003 - Nedved 2002 - Ronaldo 2001 – Raul 2000 - Zidane 1999 - Rivaldo 1998 - Zidane 1997 - Ronaldo 1996 - Ronaldo 1995 - Weah 1994 - Romario 1993 - Baggio 1992 - Stoichkov 1991 - Papin 1990 - Matthaus 1989 - van Basten 1988 - van Basten 1987 - Maradona 1986 - Maradona 1985 - Platini 1984 - Platini 1983 - Platini 1982 - Rossi 1981 - Zico 1980 - Rummenigge 1979 - Zico 1978 - Kempes 1977 - Keegan 1976 - Beckenbauer 1975 - Beckenbauer 1974 - Beckenbauer 1973 - Cruyff 1972 - Beckenbauer 1971 - Cruyff 1970 - Pele 1969 - Pele 1968 - Best 1967 - Albert 1966 - Charlton 1965 - Pele 1964 - Suares 1963 - Pele 1962 - Garrincha 1961 - Pele 1960 - Puskas 1959 – Di Stefano 1958 - Pele 1957 - Di Stefano 1956 - Di Stefano 2* 2010 – Messi 2009 - Messi 2008 - C.Ronaldo 2007 - Kaka 2006 - Ronaldinho 2005 - Ronaldinho 2004 - Ronaldinho 2003 - Zidane 2002 - Zidane 2001 – Zidane 2000 - Zidane 1999 - Rivaldo 1998 - Ronaldo 1997 - Ronaldo 1996 - Ronaldo 1995 - Weah 1994 - Romario 1993 - Baggio 1992 - Stoichkov 1991 - Matthaus 1990 - Maradona 1989 - Maradona 1988 – Van Basten 1987 - Maradona 1986 - Maradona 1985 - Platini 1984 - Platini 1983 - Platini 1982 - Zico 1981 - Zico 1980 - Maradona 1979 - Maradona 1978 - Kempes 1977 - Zico 1976 - Beckenbauer 1975 - Beckenbauer 1974 - Cruyff 1973 - Cruyff 1972 - Cruyff 1971 - Cruyff 1970 - Pele 1969 - Pele 1968 - Best 1967 - Pele 1966 - Eusebio 1965 - Pele 1964 - Pele 1963 - Pele 1962 - Pele 1961 - Pele 1960 - Pele 1959 – Pele 1958 - Pele 1957 - Di Stefano 1956 - Di Stefano
Note: 2004 means 2003/04 seasons 2004 - Henry, Dinho is not a horrible choice 2003 - Nedved, not Zidane 2001 - Tough one, but not Zidane 2000 - Figo or Rivaldo, definitely not Zidane 1998 - Zidane 1996 - Sammer/Weah ... Why Ronaldo? He played 21 games for PSV 95/96!
For 1* it's still questionable of the list from 56-70. from 70-now is pretty much said and done so no discussion needed. For 2*: This is a debatable one, I think 79-80: Zico deserved more so than Maradona: Zico adcolate: * 1979 o Rio State Championship Top Scorer – 26 goals o Extra Rio State Championship Top Scorer – 34 goals o Brazil's top scorer this season - 89 goals o Selected in FIFA XI to play against Argentina – Scored 1 goal * 1980 o Brazilian Championship Top Scorer – 21 goals o Brazil's top scorer this season - 53 goals o Silver ball South American Footballer of the Year o 5rd Best Player of the Year – Guerin Esportivo (Italy) 2001: Rivaldo deserved more so than Zidane. Rivaldo did great with 23goals (just 1 off from Raul as pichichi winner) playing off from playmaker/support striker position. 2003: Henry should be the one (order should be Henry/Ronaldo/Zidane) as Henry was hot in EPL and won Confedcup 03 for France as best player there. Zidane only did very good to great level in liga. While Ronaldo did very good to great in liga and great in UCL03.
2001,2003 - Its very subjective. For talk about "impression" list imo we can have the video of player and post it for prove our choice For 79,80: You gave me the accolades of Zico,but if you noticed, i have included Maradona in list of "impression".
Again. Impression and also "deserved" I meant. In 2001, Zidane was subpart (to his standard) while Rivaldo was still great in form. 2003, I was biased to name Henry (as I thought he could and should get 1 world title or at least shared with Nedved that year deservedly) He got the highest scoring and asssists that year 79,80" So to you Zico did not "impress" in those years? more so than Maradona surely, as his nickname was the " white Pele" - as he was among the rare players who could have scored >60+ goals a season since Pele! That record was only repeated by Ronaldo in 1997 and that was it. while Maraona was just statring build up his stardom in Argentina/
2001 - Fom me subpart Zidane had better impact than great form Rivaldo... 2003 - Its close race. You may be right. 79,80 - Zico was very impressive,but M impressed me MORE. Its just my opinion.