The virtues of the players Lionel Messi, James Rodríguez, Marcelo, Allison Becker, and Roberto Firmino could grant them this award

The specialized soccer portal, Bleacher Report, made a nomination of the 15 players who could win the Golden Ball and 5 Latinos appear on the list. Bleacher Report is a digital website created by different sports fans, was created in 2007, and focuses on the global sports culture.

Leer en español: ¿Podrá un latinoamericano ganar el Balón de Oro de este año?

The possible winners include the Colombian James Rodriguez, the Argentine Lionel Messi and the Brazilians Marcelo, Allison Becker, and Roberto Firmino. The performance of these players this season has been excellent, and they have all the conditions to achieve this recognition for what they have shown.

LatinAmerican Post presents the strengths of these five players, which are fundamental to obtain this award.

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James resurrected at Bayern Munich

After his departure from Real Madrid for his lack of continuity, James Rodríguez arrived at Bayern Munich and his performance has been positive. The Colombian midfielder has played a total of 37 games this season, has made 14 assists, and has scored 8 goals.

James has become a key player in the German team for his great vision of the game, his good midfield shot, and his companionship. James will have his chance to fire at the 2018 World Cup in Russia, where he intends to revalidate the title of scorer he won in Brazil 2014.

Messi already knows what it is to win the Ballon d’Or

After having won the Golden Ball five times, the Argentine Lionel Messi intends to return to achieve this world recognition. With the Catalans, the Argentine has won 32 titles and his great obsession is to achieve for the first time the world title in Russia with the Argentine National Team.

Messi has several records to be the top scorer of the Spanish League, the Spanish Super Cup, and the European Champions League. The player has scored 551 annotations in 635 games that he has played with clubs like Newells Old Boys and Barcelona Football Club.

A creator down the left

Marcelo Vieira is one of the leading figures of Real Madrid in Spain and the Brazilian National Team. In this season, the player has had the opportunity to perform in 38 matches with Real Madrid, has scored 32 goals, and has made 87 assists.

Marcelo will have the opportunity to play in Kyiv the final of the Champions League on May 26 against Liverpool and wants to add another title to his career. Marcelo has achieved three Champions titles with Real Madrid, and aims to achieve the Golden Ball for the first time.

Security in the Roman goal zone

For his part, the Brazilian goalkeeper, Alisson Becker has been an important protagonist with Roma during this season. The Romans reached the semifinals of the European Champions League, and the goalkeeper became one of the team's figures.

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With the team of his country, Becker has had the opportunity to act in 13 matches, and has received 9 annotations. Roma paid a total of 7.5 million euros for his pass, and he has not disappointed anyone thanks to his remarkable interventions.

Goal scoring with Liverpool

The Brazilian attacker, Roberto Firmino has had a dream season with Liverpool of England thanks to the goals he has marked. Firmino has scored a total of 51 touchdowns in 139 games he has played, and he will have the chance to win the Champions League title.

His two major challenges are focused on raising the 'orejona' and being considered in the Brazilian National Team for the World Cup in Russia. In addition, his defining ability in the area is one of his main virtues that has put him at the top of world football and the Ballon d’Or  is his obsession.

These five Latin American players have had a great performance, and that is why football analysts have nominated them to obtain this achievement. All of them have great virtues, and will fight against world soccer stars such as Cristiano Ronaldo of Real Madrid and Mohammed Salah of Liverpool.

Latin American Post | Daniel Cuevas
Translated from “¿Podrá un latinoamericano ganar el Balón de Oro de este año?”