Fernando Hierro says that for Spanish football’s recent successes, a Spanish player deserves to pick up this year’s Ballon d’Or award.
Barcelona, Atletico Madrid and Spain have all won trophies in recent years, but at an individual level, the likes of Xavi Hernandez and Andres Iniesta have finished runners-up in the Ballon d’Or voting behind four-time-consecutive-winner Lionel Messi.
For Real Madrid’s now retired defender, this season should see a new and Spanish name handed the annual award.
“I would give the Ballon d’Or to a Spanish player,” Hierro has reflected to reporters this week.
“I wish it had been awarded to a Spaniard during these past five years, when the national team has been world champions, European champions and our clubs have been champions in Europe. Spanish football has deserved it.
“From there, I would give it to Messi, Ribery or Cristiano. It is an award whose rules I do not know, and that is decided by Coaches, magazines and the media. There is no clear way to see what is decided. Someone Spanish has deserved it, they have done enough. It is a prize for forwards as much as anything else.
“Zidane has backed Ribery? That is his opinion, whilst he also said that Cristiano has deserved it. He is someone with great personality, with a bright future, he has something to say – that is his opinion and you have to respect it.”
