The number of votes for the 2011 Golden Foot career award were more than 323,000, coming all over the world. H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco will give the prestigious golden mould with diamond pendant to the winner. The gala will take place at Fairmont Monte Carlo, on Monday October 10, from 8:00 PM.
2011 NOMINEES LIST
David Beckham (England)
Ginaluigi Buffon (Italy)
Iker Casillas (Spain)
Didier Drogba (Ivory Coast)
Samuel Eto'o (Cameroon)
Ryan Giggs (Wales)
Carles Puyol (Spain)
Raúl González Blanco (Spain)
Xavi Hernández (Spain)
Javier Zanetti (Argentina)
PROFILES
David BECKHAM (England)
Date of birth: 02/05/1975
Current Club: Los Angeles Galaxy (United States)
Position: right or central midfielder
Honours
Champions League (1999)
Intercontinental Cup (1999)
English Premier League (1996, 1997, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2003)
FA Cup (1996, 1999)
Spanish League (2007)
Spanish Super Cup (2003)
English League Young Footballer of the Year (1997)
Champions League Footballer of the Year (1999)
Profile
Simply the most famous footballer in the world, David Beckham's main attributes are his long-range shooting ability - especially from free-kicks - pin-point accurate crossing from the right. He established himself in the Manchester United FC first team in the 1995/96 English double-winning season and a goal from the halfway line in the first game of the next campaign, at Wimbledon, marked his arrival as a star. Beckham's efforts in the treble-winning team of 1998/99 that lifted the UEFA Champions League trophy won him the second place behind Rivaldo in the voting for FIFA World Player of the Year and European Player of the Year. His coruscating form in 2001 brought another second place in the FIFA poll, behind Luís Figo. In 2002/2003 summer, he joined Real Madrid CF, then in summer 2007 he transferred to the United States Major League Soccer to play with Los Angeles Galaxy. Over the last two season, he also played an important part in AC Milan Italian campaigns with two consecutives loan spells. Unluckily, at the beginning of 2010 he broke his left Achilles tendon and he could not take part to South African World Cup as a player. In fact, England coach Fabio Capello asked him to be part of the team as assistant coach and Beckham accepted. It was his fourth World Cup, but he played “only” three. Anyway, he is still the second most capped player in the Three Lions history with 115 matches.
Did you know?
- Beckham's career began when he signed a professional contract with Manchester United FC making his first-team debut in 1992 aged 17.
- He was the first British footballer to play 100 Champions League matches.
- He is currently England's most-capped outfield player with 115 appearances.
Gianluigi BUFFON (Italy)
Date of birth: 28/01/1978
Current club: Juventus FC (Italy)
Position: goalkeeper
Honours
World Cup (2006)
U21 European Championship (1996)
Cup (1999)
Italian League (2002, 2003)
Italian Cup (1999)
Italian Super Cup (1999, 2002, 2003)
Official Italian Republic’s Order of Merit (2006)
IFFHS Best Goalkeeper of the Year (2003, 2004, 2006, 2007)
Champions League MVP (2003)
Champions League Goalkeeper of the Year (2003)
Lev Yashin award (2006, best goalkeeper of the World Cup)
Profile
Gianluigi Buffon is unanimously considered the best goalkeeper in the world, but only after his retirement it will be possible to say if he was, as it seems, the strongest one ever. He seemed immediately predestined to become what he is now: “Gigi” worked his way through the youth ranks at Parma FC that signed him as a professional player at the age of 17 in 1995, going on to make his Serie A debut for the club against AC Milan that year and winning the UEFA Cup with Parma in 1999. Buffon went on to make 168 appearances for Parma FC while building a reputation as one of Europe's best young goalkeeping talents and it wasn't long until the major clubs started looking his way. Juventus won the auction for Buffon's services in 2001 and paid Parma a world record fee of over £32m for the 23-year-old goalie. Personal prizes such as UEFA's Most Valuable Player Award and Best Goalkeeper Awards have continued to add to Buffon's trophy cabinet alongside notable club and international successes as the Scudetto (Italian national title) with Juventus and a World Cup victory with Italy in 2006. The Calciopoli (match-fixing) scandal which saw Juventus FC relegated to Serie B did not scare Buffon away from the club and he duly helped his club to the Serie B title in 2006/2007 as they battled their way back to Serie A in only one season. Buffon's international career began at the age of 19 when he replaced injured Gianluca Pagliuca between the goalposts but it was to be a few years before he made the position his own. Buffon's greatest career triumph has to be the 2006 World Cup during which he kept a 453-minute scoreless streak as he helped Italy to propel towards the World Cup glory. He tried to repeat himself in 2010, but he was forced to leave the Azzurri after the first half of the first match against Paraguay because of a back injury. The problem was so serious that he spent six months sidelined. But when he finally came back, new coach Cesare Prandelli wanted him to be new Italy captain.
Did you know?
- Gianluigi Buffon was awarded as the best UEFA Champions League player in 2002/03. As a goalkeeper it was something never happened before.
- World Campion in Germany 2006, Buffon has been judged as second best player in the world just after Fabio Cannavaro (“Ballon d’Or” 2006).
- In honour of Thomas N’Kono, former Cameroon legendary goalkeeper, Buffon named his son Thomas.
Iker CASILLAS (Spain)
Date of birth: 20 May 1981
Current club: Real Madrid CF (Spain)
Position: goalkeeper
Honours
World Cup (2010)
European Championship (2008)
U-20 World Cup (1999)
Champions League (2000, 2002)
European Super Cup (2002)
Intercontinental Cup (1998, 2002)
Spanish League (2001, 2003, 2007, 2008)
Copa del Rey (2011)
Spanish Super Cup (2001, 2003, 2008)
World Cup Golden Glove (2010)
U-23 Footballer of the Year (“Bravo Award”, 2000)
Profile
Iker Casillas is one of the most winning ever. From the beginning until now, he always showed how much he has deserved the Real Madrid CF spot e won during the 1999/00 season, when he was just 18 years old and he became the regular goalkeeper. In that season he won his first Champions League and he remains the youngest goalkeeper in the final with 19 years and 4 days. His most difficult moment came in 2002, when Vicente del Bosque preferred César Sànchez over him, but soon was over in another Champions League final, when he replaced the other goalkeeper during the match won against Bayer 04 Leverkusen. Casillas also showed he had more than just talent and also became Spanish national team “number one” to the following 2002 World Cup, thanks to a bizarre injury to rival Santiago Canizares. Four years later he became captain and in 2008 he raised to the sky the European title in Wien (after a 44-year wait), two years later the World Cup in Johannesburg. The best moment in Spanish football history, but also with Real Madrid CF he won all that he deserved. In 2006/07 and 2007/08 he won back-to-back Liga titles and even the Zamora Trophy. His first Spanish title came in 2001 and now he won four, with two Champions League, three Spanish Super Cup, two Intercontinental Cup and one European Super Cup. Nothing is missing, except the competitions he never took part. Nothing surprising if we consider he is the best goalkeeper of the decade with Gianluigi Buffon, two young talents who have become great. And, then, simply the best.
Did you know?
- His kiss to Spanish journalist Sara Carbonero after the World Cup triumph made them the most famous football couple.
- He is the third Spanish player to win 100 caps for the national team.
- He is only the eight Real Madrid CF player to make 400 Liga appearances.
Didier DROGBA (Ivory Coast)
Date of birth: 11/03/1978
Current Club: Chelsea FC (England)
Position: striker
Honours
English Premier League (2005, 2006, 2010)
FA Cup (2007, 2009)
FA Community Shield (2005, 2009)
English League Cup (2005, 2007)
Uefa Cup Top Scorer (2004)
Ivorian Footballer of the Year (2006, 2007)
African Footballer of the Year (2006, 2009)
Premier League Top Scorer (2007, 2010)
Uefa Team of the Year (2007)
Ivory Coast all-time Top Scorer
French Ligue 1 Player of the Year (2004)
Chelsea player of the year (2010)
West African Footballer of the Year (2010)
PFA Team of the Year (2007, 2010)
Premier League Golden Boot (2007, 2010)
Profile
Didier Drogba is one of the best striker in the last few years. Amazing goalscorer, he is powerful and skilful at the same time. Drogba made his professional debut at 18 for Le Mans, but he decided to sign his first real contract when he was 21. The first years in France were not easy for him, but at 25 he become the striker we all know, scoring 17 goals in 34 matches for Ligue 1 club Guingamp. Olympique de Marseille chose him and with only one season with the French giants, Drogba convinces new Chelsea FC manager José Mourinho. The Special One buys him for a record breaking fee of £24 million and he becomes the most expensive Ivory Coast player in history. Drogba helps the team to win two English title in a row and he becomes one of the most famous stirkers in the world. Despite many rumours, his will has always been to stay in London and now is a Blues legend. He has scored more goals for Chelsea FC than any other foreign player and is currently Chelsea's 7th highest goal scorer of all time. He has began his International career in September 2002, becoming Ivory Coast captain fours years later and leading the team to the first World Cup in 2006, where he scored the first goal for the Elephants. He reached the same goal for South Africa 2010, scoring 6 goals in 5 qualification games, but once again he had to fight against bad luck. In fact, Drogba was injured in a friendly match with Japan (fractured ulna in right arm) and he recovered in just 11 days. But it was not enough to lead his team to the second round in a very difficult group with Brazil and Portugal.
Did you know?
- Drogba, born in the Ivory Coast, moved to France when he was just 5 to join his uncle, already a footballer in Paris.
- Drogba was the Premier League top scorer in 2007 and again in 2010.
- He scored his first professional goal for Le Mans UC 72 (France) during the season 1999/20000, playing French D2.
- He is the only player to score in six FA Cup finals.
Samuel ETO'O (Cameroon)
Date of birth: 10/03/1981
Current Club: FC Internazionale Milan (Italy)
Position: striker
Honours
African Cup of Nations (2000, 2002)
Olympic Gold Medal (2000)
Fifa Club World Cup (2010)
Champions League (2006, 2009, 2010)
Spanish League (2005, 2006, 2009)
Copa del Rey (2003, 2009)
Spanish Super Cup (2006, 2007)
Italian League (2010)
Italy Cup (2010, 2011)
Italian Super Cup (2010)
African Player of the Year (2003, 2004, 2005)
African Cup of Nations Top Scorer (2006, 2008)
Champions League Best Forward (2006)
Spanish League Top Scorer (2006)
RCD Mallorca all-time Top Scorer
Cameroon all-time Top Scorer
Profile
Samuel Eto’o is a unique kind of forward. The Cameroonian is probably the only one in the world who can join the quality of a lethal striker to the sacrifice of a midfielder. This is one of the many reasons why he is considered one of the best. Maybe not many remember he was bought by Real Madrid CF in 1997, beginning his professional career with Merengues. The Spanish giants did not believe in him, even if he became an impressive forward with RCD Mallorca (133 matches and 54 goals). And finally, in 2004 Eto’o joined FC Barcelona to become a legend. Coached by Frank Rijkaard and playing in first line with Ronaldinho, the Cameroonian striker finds his revenge and wins two Spanish Leagues and one Champions League. During his first two season with the Catalans, he scores 62 goals, but he also impresses everyone helping the defence and freeing Ronaldinho’s amazing talent. But the best was yet to come, when Pep Guardiola becomes the new manager in 2008 and Eto’o scores 36 goals during his most prolific season. With big disappointment of the fans, he is forced to quit in the 2009 summer, when he joins FC Internazionale in Exchange for Ibrahimovic and €46 million. But Eto’o wins another bet, helping José Mourinho’s team to the first treble in their history (the second straight for him) accepting a minor role with huge sacrifices in the offensive line-up. As an International player, Eto’o earned his first cap with Cameroon at the surprising age of 14 (9 March 1996) and he was the youngest player in the 1998 World Cup. He won 2000 and 2002 Africa Cup of Nations, 2000 Summer Olympics.
Did you know?
- Eto'o earned his first cap with Cameroon at age 15 on 9 March 1996 (5–0 friendly loss to Costa Rica).
- He is the all-time leading scorer in the history of the African Nations Cup, with 18 goals.
- He is the second player to have ever scored in two separate UEFA Champions League finals.
Ryan GIGGS (Wales)
Date of birth: 29/11/1973
Current club: Manchester United FC (England)
Position: left wing or midfielder
Honours
UEFA Champions League (1999, 2008)
Intercontinental Cup (1999)
FIFA Club World Cup (2008)
European Super Cup (1991)
English League Cup (1992, 2006, 2009)
English Premier League (1993, 1994, 1996, 1997, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2007, 2008, 2009)
English FA Cup (1994, 1996, 1999, 2004)
FA Community Shield (1993, 1994, 1996, 1997, 2003, 2007, 2008, 2010)
English League Young Footballer of the Year (1992, 1993)
U-21 European Footballer of the Year (1993)
Intercontinental Cup MVP (1999)
BBC Sports Personality of the Year (2009)
PFA Player of the Year (2009)
Manchester United FC Player of the Decade (2010)
All-time most capped player of Manchester United FC
Profile
Ryan Giggs is one of very few players to have spent their entire career at the same club, he is the most decorated player in the history of Manchester United FC with more than 800 appearances for the club, Welsh winger Ryan Giggs's main strengths are his speed and his ability to manipulate the ball while running at full pace. Giggs is Manchester United FC's longest-serving current player, having made his first appearance for the club during the 1990-91 season and been a regular player since the 1991-92 season. He has played the highest number of competitive games for the club (more than legendary Bobby Charlton), and he holds the club record of team trophies won by a player. As well as being a fine dribbler, Giggs is also a regular goal scorer: it is very famous a magnificent solo score to win the 1999 FA Cup semi-final replay against Arsenal FC, from which point the club went on to secure an unprecedented treble of league, cup and UEFA Champions League, later adding the Intercontinental Cup. He has claimed 11 English titles (a record) and he is the only player to win the Professional Footballers Association Young Player of the Year award on two occasions in a row (1992 and 1993). As Welsh international Giggs has been a regular in his side since becoming the youngest player to represent his country aged 17 years and 321 days against Germany in 1991, although he has never played in a final tournament. With his country's shirt, the Welsh Wizard has played 64 games scoring 12 goals, before the announcement of his retirement from international football on 30 May 2007.
Did you know?
- Ryan Giggs is actually the player who played most for Manchester United FC with more than 830 appearances and the most winning.
- Uefa Cup (now Europa League) is the only trophy missing in his career.
- So far, Manchester United FC and Wales are the only two teams he played.
- In the 2010/11 Champions League he has become the oldest player in Manchester United FC history to play a European semifinal.
Carles PUYOL (Spain)
Date of birth: 13/04/1978
Current Club: FC Barcelona (Spain)
Position: defender
Honours
World Cup (2010)
European Championship (2008)
Champions League (2006, 2009, 2011)
FIFA Club World Cup (2009)
European Super Cup (2009)
Spanish League (2005, 2006, 2009, 2010, 2011)
Spanish Cup (2009)
Spanish Super Cup (2005, 2006, 2009, 2010)
Olympic Silver medal (2000)
Profile
Carles Puyol is the “enfant-du-pays” dream come true. The Catalan defender began his career with La Pobla de Segur as a goalkeeper when he was a kid, but he was soon forced to switch his position to become a striker. FC Barcelona called him in 1995, when he joined the Blaugrana’s youth team. In 1999, first team Louis van Gaal made him debut in La Liga championship. During his first years, he was considered most of all a right back. But when Frank Rijkaard came in, he found a new dimension as centre back. And he becomes one of the best in the world (Best European centre back in 2005, 2006, 2008 and UEFA Club Best Defender in 2006). At the end of the 2003-04 season he became FC Barcelona captain, after Luis Enrique’s retirement and on 16 September 2008 he made his 400th appearance in all competitions for the Spanish giants. Now he is the third player with more official matches with more than 500, surpassing legend Carles Rexach. The time is passing, but Puyol is always a regular for new manager Pep Guardiola. Even if sometimes is forced to play on the left flank. As an International player, he won his first cap on 15 November 2000 against Netherlands and he is still a regular. His highest moment seemed to be Euro 2008 triumph, when he was named in the Team of the Tournament. But in the 2010 World Cup he played even better, also scoring the decisive goal in the semi-final won against Germany. He announced he will play for la Roja until 2012 Euro Cup.
Did you know?
- He made his first team debut in 1999 under Louis Van Gaal, when visiting FC Barcelona beat Valladolid 2-0.
- Apart 3 appearances with Catalunya, since his professional debut (1999) he only played for FC Barcelona and Spain.
- When he was promoted from FC Barcelona “B team” is position was right back.
RAÚL Gonzáles Blanco (Spain)
Date of birth: 27/6/1977
Current club: FC Schalke 04 (Germany)
Position: striker
Honours
Champions League (1998, 2000, 2002)
Intercontinental Cup (1998, 2002)
European Super Cup (2002)
Spanish League (1995, 1997, 2001, 2003, 2007, 2008)
Spanish Supercup (1997, 2001, 2003, 2008)
Germany Cup (2011)
Champions League Top Scorer (2000, 2001)
Spanish League Top Scorer (1999, 2001)
Best Spanish Footballer (1997)
Intercontinental Cup Best Player (1998)
Champions League Best Forward (2000)
Balón de Plata (2001)
IFFHS Best World Scorer (1999)
Until 26 March 2011, He was the Top Scorer ever of the Spanish selection
Profile
Raúl is born in Madrid and lives at San Cristobal de los Angeles, a modest area to the south of the city. His father Pedro is an electrician and a great fan of the Club Atlético de Madrid and signs his son to his favourite club. Jesus Gil y Gil, the club’s chairman, promises to pay for the 13-year-old kid’s studies up to the university, but it never comes true. Even if the Atlético “infantil” (the youth team) wins the Spanish championship with 65 goals by Raul, the year after the boss decides to dismantle the youth team, and then Real Madrid CF come forward to sign the young champion. Gil reacts offering him a contract as a professional player (he is 15) but the kid does not trust him and leaves. On 29 October 1994 Raúl made his debut with Real Madrid CF, he was only 17 and entered the pitch as a replacement of Emilio Butragueño, one of his youth idols. He is the youngest player making his debut in the history of the club, but it was not one of Real’s best periods: the last Champions League won dates back to 1966, and the last national title to 1990. The league title arrives immediately, but they have to wait more to win the Champions League: on 20 May 1998 their “seventh” trophy gets to the museum of the club. The “Blancos” beat by 1 to 0 Juventus FC in Amsterdam, the goal is scored by Mijatovic and Raúl is one of the protagonists of the match. The same happens in 2000, in the final in Paris they win 3-0 over Valencia CF, his is the last goal after a solo that is much applauded, and they lift their eighth Champions League Cup. Figo, Zidane, Ronaldo, Beckham will come later to play alongside Raúl. No one of them, however, overshadows the young player from Madrid. On the pitch his reputation stays the same: he scores in the 2002 Champions League final, his is the first goal of a show ended by Zidane’s goal. Beating Bayer 04 Leverkusen by 2 to 1 Real Madrid CF is the new European champion, while in the Liga the titles keep piling up and get to 29 (2003). With a contract expiring in 2010, Raúl left Merengues after 323 goals in 741 appearances and signed a two years contract for Schalke 04, where he led the German team to their first Champions’ League semi-final ever.
Did you know?
- Raúl is the best Champions League scorer ever with 66 goals.
- He got 4 sons and 1 daughter.
- Raúl is the player who played most in the history of Real Madrid CF: 741 appearances.
- He is fighting with FIlippo Inzaghi to become the best goalscorer in European competitions: now he’s leading with 72 goals.
XAVI Hernández (Spain)
Date of birth: 25 January 1980
Current club: FC Barcelona (Spain)
Position: central midfielder
Honours
World Cup (2010)
European Championship (2008)
Olympic Silver medal (2000)
Fifa Club World Cup (2009)
Champions League (2006, 2009, 2011)
European Super Cup (2009)
Spanish League (1999, 2005, 2006, 2009, 2010, 2011)
Spanish Super Cup (2005, 2006, 2009, 2010)
Copa del Rey (2009)
U-20 World Cup (1999)
Euro Championship Player of the Tournament (2008)
Champions League Final Man of the Match (2009)
Spanish League Player of the Year (2005)
Profile
Pep Guardiola is the great coach of FC Barcelona and Xavi is his heir. From the beginning in La Masia until now, he has always been compared to his “maestro” Guardiola, who taught him to play in the beginning of his career as a team-mate and who did the same as a coach now. Their position is the same, as well as their talent. But Xavi has already won many titles more. He joined FC Barcelona at the age of 11 and he made is debut in the 1998/99 season, when he won his first Spanish title. In 1999 he also won the Under 20 World Cup with Spain, making his full national team debut in 2000, when La Roja won the silver medal at the Olympic Games. In the beginning of his career he showed all of his talent, but also many injury problems who couldn’t make him the best playmaker in the world. In the 2005/06 season he played only first four matches of the victorious Champions League triumph due to knee ligament damage. He took part anyway to next World Cup, but he had to wait for other two years to raise a cup with La Roja. The chance arrived at the 2008 Euro Cup, when he becomes the brain of the national team who won the title in Wien against Germany. In 2010 history repeats, and he plays another amazing tournament in South Africa, when Spain become World Champion for the first time ever. He was elected the best player of the 2008 tournament, but he never won other personal awards. Because Xavi prefers to help his team. And that’s why Guardiola has become the only debut-coach to live an amazing six titles season in 2009, when FC Barcelona won Liga, Copa del Rey, Champions League, Spanish Super Cup, UEFA Super Cup and FIFA World Cup.
Did you know?
- He made his full national team debut in the same game as club-mate Carles Puyol on 15 November 2000 against the Netherlands (lost 1-2 in Seville).
- He claimed his fifth Liga title − and fourth in six years − with Barcelona in 2009/10, ending the season with the division's largest number of assists.
- He extended his contract until summer 2016 in June 2010, when he will be 36 years old
- Overtook Migueli at the top of the club's all-time appearance list when he featured for the 550th time in a 1-1 draw with Athletic Club in the Copa del Rey last 16 on 5 January 2011.
Javier ZANETTI (Argentina)
Date of birth: 10 August 1973
Current club: FC Internazionale Milan (Italy)
Position: Right or left defender, right, central or left midfielder
Honours
Fifa Club World Cup (2010
Champions League (2010)
Uefa Cup (1998)
Olympic Silver Medal (1996)
Italian League (2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010)
Italian Cup (2005, 2006, 2010, 2011)
Italian Super Cup (2005, 2006, 2008, 2010)
All-time most capped player of FC Internazionale
Profile
A real captain, an example for every young player and an impressive athlete. This is Javier Zanetti, one of the most impressive players in International football. When he joined FC Internazionale in 1995 not many understood his talent, but soon after everyone changed their mind. He can play in every position from defence to midfield, even if in the beginning of his career he was an offensive winger. Also known as the Tractor, for his strength and the abilty to keep the ball in every possible situation. Zanetti has played more 600 official matches for Nerazzurri, and more than 500 Serie A ones which is the highest all-time among non-Italian born players. After very though years with the Italians, after 2006 he also won very deserved silverwares. But the best year will always be 2010, when he led the Nerazzurri to a five title season: Italian Championship, Italian Cup, Champions’ League, Italian Supercup and Fifa Club World Cup. As an International player, he became the most capped player in the history of the Argentine national team, even if he was not called up for the 2006 World Cup by coach José Pekerman. With coach Diego Armando Maradona he lost the captain armband in favour of Javier Mascherano and he missed South Africa 2010, but with the new coach Batista he found his place in the Albiceleste team. He is also notable off the field for his charitable work, running a foundation to benefit disadvantaged children in Argentina.
Did you know?
- He captained Inter to UEFA Champions League final glory against FC Bayern München on his 700th appearance for the Nerazzurri.
- He became Argentina's most-capped player in November 2007, having represented his country at four Copa América tournaments (1995, 1999, 2004, 2007), two FIFA World Cups (1998, 2002; he was omitted from the 2006 and 2010 squad) and two FIFA Confederations Cups (1995, 2005)
- He became the oldest player to score in the Champions League, aged 37 years and 72 days, when he struckin a 4-3 loss to Tottenham Hotspur FC on 20 October, although his record was swiftly taken by Filippo Inzaghi.
- He has played in more Serie A matches than any other non-Italian and surpassed Giuseppe Bergomi's club record of 519 league appearances when he featured in a 3-2 defeat of AC Cesena on 19 January 2011.
- On 10 May 2011, Zanetti completed his 1,000th professional game
