Zero-Sum Game for Your Justice
When Leo Messi won his 2009 Ballon d'Or, the master dribbler mentioned about how many great players never get to win the award. And it's an extremely important award indeed, an event which supposed to consolidate viewpoints from knowledgeable sources and informed observers.
Unlike Cristiano Ronaldo, who won the golden ball last year on the back of an impressive scoring record - against the likes of English Premier League's weaker clubs - Leo's share of the spoils this year may not lead to as much global protest.
This year, less people would argue that Messi's talent for improvisation is inferior to Ronaldo's productive speed and power. But the reverse could not be said of the two of them last year. In an almost evenly divided world utterly fascinated by the skills of both players, in the end it was the combination of beauty (hairdo no.7) and strength (fitness club) which triumphed over instinct and improvisation (legendary no.10). Team working attributes, which brought about the involvement of a few other names, the likes of Iniesta, Xavi, and to an extent Gerrard, failed to bring about humility and justice.
Who Said That? What Conspiracy!
Something had to be done. Heavenly angels conspired to end this bitter dispute last may, despite stubborn Hiddink's sceptical resistance. Playing to a hardly audible jazz tune, on a rare solo moment, Messi kept control of the pitch to draw all focus with a harmonious dribble; to suddenly let the beat go with a short lay-off to hand Iniesta the opportunity to drum it in. Barca were ‘conspired’ to see off defending champions Man United in the final. Hardly anyone remembers the first goal, hardly anyone recalls Cristiano being there, but a delicate chip from Xavi gently placed the ball inch perfect for the short Messi to settle the game with a header, as if to say: Messi could do that, too.
Sure Ballon d’Or was settled back then: We have an undisputed winner for 20009. Not only is Lionel Messi an excellent player, he seems humble too. And then he said something about not all greats getting awarded. He is right.
It'll be nice to see our Heavens conspire for the World Cup 2010, with Xavi Hernandez lining up to lift the mundial. Then, many wouldn't mind if he never gets recognised at all.
How Probable is Justice?
Henry's hands or Maradona's wondergoal which sent half the English team bewildered under the Mexican heat persuades many among us, that there is no justice in football.
Yet, hope is here with those minority fans robbed of the opportunity to witness the recognition of Xavi Hernandez’s contribution to The Art of Passing and Playmaking, his involvement in Spain’s 2008 European triumph, and Barcelona’s 08/09 treble season.
The world cup draw has provided an early battle ground for Portugal and Brazil. Any of these two teams, should they pass the group stage, have a great chance of facing Spain either on the second round, or the quarterfinals. In simple words, the best part of our South African beef is being provided as steak on a plate for Chef Xavi himself to barbeque at his own will, just in time for the big party. I can’t imagine sanguine Brazilians and Portuguese act as party-poopers, and try to gridlock their midfield much in the manner of Italian cattenaccio tradition, or the more recent Slovenia and/or Rubin Kazan.
Bottling a Fine Shiraz
This sounds like the right aging process for, arguably, Barcelona’s finest produce in many decades of harvests, and following the same theme, only another Spanish-speaking Latin culture has the chance to stop him. But although we all know Maradona gets to chose from Castro’s recommended Cuban cigars, we’re yet to taste his cooking skills, or whether he knows which defensive spice or midfield herb would squeeze Messi’s juice into another fine Shiraz.
That said, the plot to suit Xavi’s case for world cup glory is down to these things: first, his own 09/10 injury free season; second, how cynical Dunga’s disciplined Brazil can be; third, how much momentum can Germany and England build upon their form; fourth, how reactive are the Netherlands and Serbia when confronted with established sides (these two remind me of Russia – excellent against most good teams, totally collapse against top guns and minor threats equally as much.
As to Argentina and France, and Italy to an extent, they’re the most mysterious creatures, the jokers in the pack, among other unlikely surprises. Slovenia, perhaps?