Ronaldo in mix but no Messi on Player of Year shortlist
CRISTIANO Ronaldo could claim a record sixth Fifa Men’s Player of the Year prize after Lionel Messi was omitted from the shortlist for the first time since 2006.
Ronaldo and Messi (below) have both won the prize five times, but the Barcelona and Argentina forward was overlooked on this occasion, with Luka Modric and Mohamed Salah in contention.
Messi had featured in the top three for 11 straight years. He was runner-up in 2007 and 2008 before winning the title for the first of five years in 2009.
The shortlists were announced yesterday and the award ceremony is scheduled to take place on September 24 at Royal Festival Hall in London.
The award was first introduced as the Fifa World Player of the Year prize (1991-2009), before becoming the Ballon d’Or (2010-15) and subsequently part of Fifa’s ‘The Best’ awards. There is some consolation for Messi as his Russia 2018 goal versus Nigeria makes the list of 10 nominees for the Puskas Award for best goal. The men’s coach prize features former Real boss Zinedine Zidane, France’s World Cup-winning boss Didier Deschamps and beaten finalist Zlatko Dalic of Croatia. The best goalkeeper prize is between Hugo Lloris, Kasper Schmeichel and Thibaut Courtois.
JAMIE McGonigle delivered a finishing masterclass to earn Coleraine a stunning 3-0 victory against Crusaders at Seaview and sweep the Bannsiders to the top of the table.
The magnificent McGonigle netted twice in the second half, adding to Josh Carson’s early effort as Oran Kearney’s men took advantage of some shoddy defending from the champions.
It was a fantastic win in front of the Sky Sports cameras for Oran Kearney’s men, who have now gone a remarkable 33 games without defeat in domestic competition.
And despite not being at their brilliant best in the opening matches of the season, they are at the head of the Danske Bank Premiership with Linfield behind on goal difference.
As for Crusaders, they have yet to hit any degree of form and have now lost two of their first five games and their last two home matches.
It’s early days of course but Stephen Baxter will demand much better from his players in the weeks ahead. Last night, they made too many elementary errors at the back and lacked composure in attack.
In contrast, Coleraine were rock solid in defence, with Stephen O’Donnell and Gareth McConaghie outstanding, and clinical when opportunities came their way.
Talk about making a statement of title intent. They went so close last season and are fiercely determined to go one better this time.
Before kick-off there was a sense of eager anticipation in the air about how the sides would match up after the excitement and drama they generated in the Irish League last season.
Both were sensational throughout the campaign, providing one of the greatest title races ever witnessed in Northern Ireland.
It went all the way to the final game with the Crues eventually coming out on top in dramatic fashion with a victory at Ballymena sealing their third crown in four years.
The Crues opted to begin with former Coleraine striker Rory Patterson on the bench, while new Bannsiders signing Aaron Canning was drafted into their starting line-up. CRUSADERS: O’Neill, Burns, Beverland, Coates, Lowry, Ward, Carvill, Caddell, Forsythe, J Owens, Heatley. Subs: Snoddy for Lowry 29, Cushley for Carvill 70, Patterson for Caddell 70. Subs not used: Doherty, McChrystal, K Owens, Clarke. COLERAINE: Johns, Harkin, McCauley, Lowry, Bradley, Carson, McConaghie,
Seconds before kick-off, Crusaders fans were reminding their Coleraine counterparts who the champions were — though once O’Donnell, Traynor, McGonigle, Canning. Subs: Parkhill for McGonigle 90. Subs not used: Mullan, Douglas, Crown, Burns, Parkhill, Doherty, Gawne.
Man of the Match: Jamie McGonigle Match rating: 7/10
Referee: Arnold Hunter (Maguiresbridge) the game started, their team was playing like anything but.
There was a nervousness about the home side in the ear- ly stages and on 11 minutes it proved costly when Howard Beverland’s mistake allowed Eoin Bradley to have a run on goal — his powerful drive was parried by Sean O’Neill with the onrushing Carson first to the rebound.
The winger showed real quality to bury the opportunity and put the visitors in front.
To add injury to the insult of gifting Coleraine the opener, Crues midfielder Philip Lowry ended up in a heap 60 seconds later after a crunching challenge from sibling Stephen, who was booked. Not much brotherly love there.