From Liverpoolfc.tv : Steven Gerrard should be crowned European
Footballer of the Year in Paris on Monday night with Ronaldinho
runner-up and Jamie Carragher third. Well, that's the verdict of
the Liverpool fans who voted in an official online poll on this
website.
The winner of the prestigious Ballon d'Or for this year will be
announced on Monday in France and Liverpool supporters agree with
Rafael Benitez that Gerrard deserves the award more than
anyone.
Barcelona's Brazilian superstar Ronaldinho is the bookies favourite
to succeed Andriy Shevchenko as the continent's top player but
Anfield fans clearly agree with Benitez who stated on Friday: "I
would vote for Gerrard always. There are a lot of great players in
contention for this award and there's no doubt he is one of the
best.
"Ronaldinho is playing very well at the moment. He is a really
skilful player, with a lot of energy and who can give the team many
options. I've heard that some people are comparing him to Maradona
or Pele but I think it's too early to make these comparisons. For
me, Gerrard has had a very good year, the highlight of which was
the amazing final in Istanbul. The best players can perform to a
consistently high standard in the most important games. That is
what he has done for us and the reason why I feel he deserves to
win."
More than 10,000 supporters took part in our online poll with just
over 5,000 nominating the Liverpool captain as the man who should
win the award.
Ronaldinho was the second choice of the Liverpool supporters with
3,622 votes and Jamie Carragher followed in third place with 1,424
votes.
The real winner will be announced on Monday at an awards ceremony
in Paris with Ronaldinho a clear favourite to take the
prize.
