it seems strange to me. i mean, the journalists voted him as the best player.. Right or wrong decision, it doesn't matter. He was the most voted, hence he has to win the trophy
This would be one of the dumbest decisions ever. Thankfully, I think it's just Blatter running his mouth as usual.
Even dismissing the headbutt, Zidane was not the best player during the tournament. He would be lucky to be the 5th best French player.
He was the best player in the tournament, he took a French team that no one believed in to the final, if that's not an incredible accomplishment, I don't know what is.
PKs, set plays, and most importantly, a strong defense and defensive midfield took France to the finals. PERIOD.
Is there any precedent for taking away a golden ball (mvp) award in the WC? To me it makes some sense, e.g. Gold medals are stripped in the Olympics for violations which come to light later, and awarded to the runner-up. Plus politically speaking, FIFA has made such a big deal about Fair Play this year, it would be fairly hypocritical to sit back and do nothing about this. Unless of course Blatter is buddies w/ Chirac.
5th best player of the tournament ... yes, that may be understandable. But 5th best player in the French team ... that's pushing things a tad bit too far. Without his elevating his game, the French probably would not have produced such inspiring performances against Spain and Brazil.
Isn't that what I just asked? On the other hdan, does FIFA have full jurisdiction/authority in this case if the award is determined by another group - journalists?
Cannavaro consistently performs in every single match for Italy. Being a DEFENDER, he didn't even get a yellow card. WTF - he's a defender, didn't even get a yellow, performs at the highest level for his team at every match, was on the winning team, yet Cannavaro did not win?????? Tell me the logic of this, tell me why Cannavaro didn't get MVP. I am still baffled to get how this can happen. I just don't understand it at all, I just can't.
Let's see: First 3 games, where was he? 2nd - Vieira scored the crucial goal. 3rd - Henry scored the goal. 4th - He scored a penalty, not too hard to do. I remember 3 other French players making their penalties in the final. Saying he TOOK them too the final is too much, France is not really a one-man team like Ukraine.
Thuram was unbelievable in France's 7 games. Sagnol was exceptional and was as dominant in the Spain game as Zidane was in the Brazil game. Vieira was amazing and France's best player vs Spain (his great pass to Ribery got France the equalizer, and he scored the winning goal). I can't think of a 4th player. Taking nothing away from Zidane's magnificent display vs Brazil, would you at least agree that not allowing Brazil (w/Ronaldinho, Ronaldo, Kaka, etc) a single shot on goal the entire game is as great a performance from the defenders as Zidane was on offense?
Wow! An Italian tells good things about France! Thanks for them. All in one, Zidane being the 1st (best) France should have won, no?
Even though I am a THE Zizou fan, I think Cannavaro deserved this a bit more than Zizou did. I think it was jus that who ever voted was amazed by Zizou's preformance at his age before retiring.