Wesley SneijderBallon d'Or Odds: 2.0Twelve months ago Sneijder was in danger of becoming football's forgotten man as he struggled with injuries and for form at Real Madrid. Former Inter manager Jose Mourinho persisted, when many others gave up, to bring the Dutchman to the San Siro and he was rewarded with a sensational campaign as Sneijder played a pivotal figure in a treble winning campaign. The crowing glory ironically came at the Bernabeu as Sneijder and Inter scooped the Champions League in May. He was outstanding in the World Cup scoring five goals as the Netherlands reached the final but ended up on the losing side. It was a rare occurrence in an otherwise perfect year for Sneijder.
Xavi HernandezBallon d'Or Odds: 2.40Few players command the respect of Barcelona's linchpin Xavi who continues to pull the strings at club and international level. Ripped Real Madrid to shreds in the crunch Clasico match in April providing both assists as the Blaugrana ran out 2-0 winners. Xavi was his magnificent self for La Furia Roja in the World Cup supplying more passes than any other player (669) with an accuracy level of 81%. Frighteningly good.
Andres IniestaBallon d'Or Odds: 3.0Maintained his partnership with Xavi to devastating effect as Barcelona retained La Liga in a tight race with Real Madrid. "Iniesta is easily Spain's most complete player. He has everything," said his midfield partner Xavi last year. Bagged the winner in the World Cup final. Enough said.
Arjen RobbenBallon d'Or Odds: 8.0Like his compatriot Sneijder the flying Dutchman is another Real Madrid reject done good. A big money move to Bayern Munich was considered to be a risk on the injury prone winger but Robben slotted in seamlessly into the Bayern side netting 23 goals in just 29 games including a brilliant winner in the German cup final and a late volley against Manchester United in the Champions League. Enjoyed a good World Cup but will have nightmares about that miss in the final.
Diego ForlanBallon d'Or Odds: 11.0Pocketed the Golden Ball for the best player of the tournament and it was rich reward for the forward who inspired the Celeste to a fourth placed finish. Forlan again reached double figures as he supplied crucial goals for his club in La Liga. None more so than his double in the Europa League final which set the tone for a terrific summer.
Thomas MuellerBallon d'Or Odds: 12.0Mueller's rise to fame is like something from a Roy of the Rovers comic. Barely a year ago he was playing third division football in Germany and after a stellar season he is now one of Europe's most in demand prospects. Mueller played 46 times for his club last season scoring 19 goals. In the World Cup he netted five goals from just five shots on target and as he supplied three assists he claimed the Golden Boot to go along with his young player of the tournament prize. He is just going to get better and better.
David VillaBallon d'Or Odds: 13.0Without him Spain would have been home before the postcards landed at his new address in Catalonia. Villa scored five times and would have won the Golden Boot had he not missed a penalty against Honduras. His club form with Valencia was strong scoring over 20 times for the third season running. Villa will do that and plenty more next season with his new club.
Lionel MessiBallon d'Or Odds: 15.0Our current holder of the Ballon d'Or and FIFA World Player of the Year was the hot favourite to retain his crown after another stunning season with Barcelona. Messi scored an incredible 34 goals in 35 games in La Liga and was top scorer in the Champions League with 8 goals including four in one game against Arsenal. A disappointing World Cup by his very high standards has seen his odds stretch out to
15.0.
Diego MilitoBallon d'Or Odds: 21.0The Argentinian hitman scored in all three competitions as Inter scooped an historic treble. Milito netted 22 in Serie A, six in the Champions League and two in the Coppa Italia. Saved his best form for the big occasion scoring the winner in both the Coppa Italia final and both of Inter's goals in the Champions League clincher against Bayern Munich. Forced to kick his heels in South Africa for the most part as he played just 91 minutes of football.
Iker CasillasBallon d'Or Odds: 21.0Captained Spain to their first World Cup victory where he conceded just two goals. Yet to turn 30 he has been his country's number one for eight years and Real Madrid's first choice for a decade now. He will have to make history as no goalkeeper since Lev Yashin in 1963 has won the Ballon d'Or. Spain have a habit of ripping up the record books though
Selected Others:Cristiano Ronaldo - 26.0
Wayne Rooney - 29.0
Miroslav Klose - 33.0
Bastian Schweinsteiger - 36.0
Didier Drogba - 41.0
Frank Lampard - 55.0
Fernando Torres - 67.0
Maicon - 101.0
This post has been edited by Paul Avril on 16 Jul 2010, 18:45
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FIFA/FIFPro World XI 2010, 55 ფეხბურთელი დასახელდა. 
