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FIFPro World XI Released: No Italian Players On the List; Discussing Gila-dona’s Hand of God

October 27th, 2008 | By: Julian | 12 Comments »

FIFPro World XI (Doesn’t that sound like a videogame?)

What this basically is- a list of the “best players” (that’s in quotations for a reason) in the world for the last year. The starting 11 of such a team is:

Goalkeeper – Iker Casillas (Spain/ Real Madrid)

Defenders – Sergio Ramos (Spain/ Real Madrid), John Terry (England/ Chelsea), Carles Puyol (Spain/ Barcelona) and Rio Ferdinand (England/ Manchester United)

Midfielders - Steven Gerrard (England/ Liverpool), Xavi (Spain/ Barcelona) and Ricardo Kaká (Brazil/AC Milan).

Forwards – Lionel Messi (Argentina/ Barcelona), Fernando Torres (Spain/ Liverpool), and Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal/ Manchester United)

Notice any trends? No Italian players and no players from Serie A at all, bar Kaka. To be honest, I think lists like these are crap. I mean, this list is debatable on endless terms. For example, Luca Toni did shit all at the Euros, but he had what, 38 goals last year for Bayern? Doesn’t that warrant a spot? And Gerrard over Fabregas? When Arsenal finished higher on the table and Fabregas was an integral part of the Spain side that won the Euros?

But the list is what it is. It’s nice, but it has more meaning because people try to twist it. They point to this and say Serie A is in a decline. Which is pretty ironic, considering the league is stronger than ever before- just look at the table, and compare Juve’s and Roma’s positions to Udinese’s and Napoli’s.

In real Italy news, Gila has been banned for 2 games after scoring a goal with his hand. I didn’t see the match live but I saw the replays, and it was intentional. No two ways about it. Yes he was falling, but most people don’t stick thier arm out like theyre going to punch a soccer ball as they fall. He tried to cover it up and didn’t get away with it. Props to the FIGC for taking proper action.

Look around the 13 second mark. He clearly nudges his arm towards the ball intentionally.

He’s been having quite the season. Not sure why he would ruin it by doing this.

Tags: Bad 70s haircuts, FIFPro Team of the Year, Gilardino, Group E

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Comments

By yevy | October 27th, 2008 at 6:46 pm

Clever Gila, very clever. Now go sit in the corner.

Posted from United States

By Brenden | October 27th, 2008 at 11:03 pm

The ban shouldn’t stand. Look again and see he was fouled by the Palermo player … don’t be ridiculous. If this were a “beloved” player and not Gila no one would still be discussing it.

By Brenden | October 27th, 2008 at 11:05 pm

After watching again, I’m even more convinced. Watch the last replay and how the defender’s legs impact the play.

Even if it was on purpose, though, a suspension seems like overkill.

By matthew | October 28th, 2008 at 1:39 am

I don’t know, man. I was watching the game on TLN and they showed the goal several times and from the get go it looked intentional. Yeah he fell, or was brought down whatever you may believe, but sticking his arm out like that? I can’t see as anything but an attempt to bang it in. A blow from the leg is BS.

He goes on to say “Looking back at the images now, I admit that it was a handball.”

Like the guy wasn’t aware at the time.

I’m sticking with the FIGC. Shit was whack.

Posted from Canada

By kat | October 28th, 2008 at 3:50 am

Brenden so you’re saying it is okay to punch the ball in with your hand if you’re fouled in the pk-zone? Whether there was a foul in the area or not is irrelevant, a handling is handling and that Gila’s goal should not have stood. Punto. The rigore-debate is whole another thing.

By Rob | October 28th, 2008 at 4:40 pm

The list is voted for by fellow pros. So they obviously like Messi, Torres and Ronaldo more than Luca Toni.

By Provenzano | October 28th, 2008 at 6:29 pm

deleted by moderator

Posted from Spain

By asem | October 29th, 2008 at 4:45 pm

Provenzano, you forgot to mention that Roma got screwed out of the Scudetto b/c of the above calls…

Posted from United States

By Andrew | October 31st, 2008 at 5:26 pm

Toni deserved to be mentioned. Even if his team was bad at Euros. Gerrard and Rio didnt even make it to Euros. I also dont think Kaka really deserves to be listed. He wasnt amazing for brazil and Milan did not even qualify for champions league.

maybe consider Toni, Ribery, Lahm, Fabregas, Inesta, Guiza

Posted from United States

By 9 champion leagues | November 2nd, 2008 at 7:21 pm

Toni?!! what has he done? any videos that prove his mastery of the game? you know he’s a poacher and lacks the stability to dribble or create occasions.

Posted from Spain

By KINO | November 3rd, 2008 at 4:37 pm

THIS BLOG IS DEAD

By steve pelosini | November 7th, 2008 at 8:12 pm

Gila suspension? The replay clearly shows he was fouled and his eyes were closed. Jedi force must have taken over. He admitted it was a handball, not an intentional one. A suspension was ridiculous and proves nothing. They should use replay for important plays, like fouls and offsides in the world cup final.

Posted from Canada

Comments are closed