According to reports in Spain, Barcelona’s Xavi Hernandez finished fourth in the voting for the 2012 Ballon d’Or, whilst Radamel Falcao polled fifth.
Yesterday the final three nominated for the 2012 edition of the prize that recognises the best player of the year was announced, listing Lionel Messi, Andres Iniesta and Cristiano Ronaldo as in contention.
It was the first time since 2008 that midfielder Xavi missed the cut, but according the Mundo Deportivo, leaks have suggested that the 32-year-old, who finished third in the votes in 2009, 2010 and 2011, was fourth overall in the voting this year.
Votes are taken from the Coaches and captains of each national team and also from the leading journalist from each country.
Meanwhile, the same report lists Colombian striker Falcao as fifth in the voting. The forward finished the 2011-12 season in strong form and has begun the current term in similar fashion. He also netted in the Europa League Final in May and scored a hat-trick in the UEFA Super Cup on August.
If he and Xavi have made the top five, then that would see the top five positions in the Player of the Year awards given to La Liga-based players. It also means that award outsiders Andrea Pirlo and Iker Casillas did not make the top five.
Roberto Di Matteo, the recently fired Chelsea Coach who took the club to FA Cup and Champions League wins last season and Cesare Prandelli, who took Italy to the European Championship Final this summer, are believed to have polled fourth and fifth respectively in the Coach of the Year award.
That prize is also again dominated by Spain, with La Roja Coach Vicente del Bosque up against former Barcelona boss Pep Guardiola and Real Madrid tactician Jose Mourinho.
