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World Player of the Year in waiting.: Lionel Messi
While the debate of Messi vs Cristiano Ronaldo will rage on (although in my humble opinion Messi wins hands down), it is safe to say that at the age of 21 (last season), he had already accomplished far more than what C.Ronaldo, Kaka, Ronaldinho, Zidane etc achieved at that age.
I was however shocked to find out that Ronaldo actually came in second, ahead of Barcelona playmaker Xavi. And based on a poll taken by Goal.com readers, its looks like I wasn't the only one:
Barring bubonic plague or nuclear war, Messi will be crowned FIFA World Player of the Year later this month. I just hope that Xavi and Iniesta will be standing next to him as first and second runners up.
We have to give credit where credit is due. They are certainly not prolific in terms of goal-scoring, but Xavi is the finest playmaker in the world and Iniesta, well he is so versatile that its difficult to specify a role for him, but basically he's the best in what he does too.
Oh and unlike Messi and Ronaldo, the two Spaniards shine for their country as well. FYI, Ronaldo didn't even score a single goal for Portugal during the World Cup 2010 Qualifiers, and apart from those 40-yarders against Porto and Arsenal, he didn't do anything spectacular for MU either.
But whoever those eventual three finalists are, the most handsome trio ever is still that of Luis Figo, David Beckham and Raul in the 2001 FIFA Awards Gala.
FIFA World Player of the Year 2001: Luis Figo
....Hey don't look at me like that. I'm definitely not gay. Trust me. I'm just giving credit where credit is due.
Throughout his career, Beckham was often considered overrated and was criticized for being a 'one-trick pony'. But his 'one trick' was brilliant enough to decide games. He is/was the best crosser of the ball in the modern game.
It is a crime that a few all-time legends (e.g Paolo Maldini) never won the Ballon d'or or the FIFA World Player of the Year, but only certain kinds of players will ever win such prestigious awards unfortunately.
Its just like how only movies from certain genres can win the Best Picture in the Academy Awards. LOTR: The Return of the King is the first and only fantasy-based film to win Best Picture in the Oscars.
Disney's Beauty and the Beast is so far the only animation movie to ever be nominated for the Best Picture.
Tale as old as time, song as old as rhyme
Beauty and the beast......
I really think that Disney has lost its charm. Their recent film 'A Christmas Carol' was simply awful. I feel very fortunate to have grown up during the late 80s and early 90s where the Disney films were full of memorable characters and beautiful original songs.
I remember watching the Lion King in the cinema with my sis back in Melbourne. I think I cried when Simba's father Mufasa died T__T.
Looking through the latest Times Higher Education (THES) University Rankings, I notice that it still doesn't favour specialist colleges. Take the London School of Economics (LSE) from example. Its wallowing down at 67th, which is very poor for a university which is widely regarded as being at the forefront in the world in the fields it teaches and researches in.
While it should be noted that LSE does claim a top 5 position the Social Sciences table, most people only look at the overall ranking anyway. So credit hasn't exactly been given to where it is due. Students shouldn't bother with the overall ranking however.
For example, Harvard University has been ranked no.1 for the past 6 years now. However if you were a prospective Engineering student, as far as you're concerned the best university for you is the MIT, which is ranked at no.9 overall.
In fact I have discovered that the THES university rankings are seriously flawed and inconsistent with its own factors, but I'm too lazy to go into that right now.
My CPA results are out! So the time has come for me to give credit where credit is due. Ephesians 3:20-21:
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
Oh btw SPM-ers, D stands for Distinction okay? =) All glory to God really.
Suffice to say that I didn't do my best, but God was gracious enough to do the rest.
Its been a long day. Sleep first.
Ciao.
