Ballon d'Or 2015 Predictions, Analysis: Why Barcelona's Andres Iniesta Could Win It
For the fifth straight year, Andres Iniesta is among the 23 best soccer players in the world.
And his results in previous years have been terrific when it comes to winning the Ballon d'Or.
He finished second in voting in 2010 with 17.36 percent of the vote (five percent less than winner Lionel Messi). A year later, he finished fourth and in 2012, he was third. Last year, he dropped a few spots to fourth on the list, but this year might be his worst showing yet.
Does Iniesta still have what it takes to be in the hunt for the Ballon d'Or?
Top Moment
It has been an interesting 2014 for Iniesta. He did not win a single title thus far. His stats were far from exemplary.
He has had some solid moments to start the 2014-15 season with Barcelona and provided a beautiful assist for a Lionel Messi goal against Ajax a few weeks ago in a 3-1 win.
He also scored a glorious long-distance goal in a friendly between Spain and El Salvador. He was also the catalyst in Spain's 3-0 win over Australia in an ultimately pointless encounter.
Low Point
That is a rather meager section for "Top Moment," isn't it?
That is because 2014, unlike past seasons, has not been good for Andres Iniesta. Where should we start?
He finished the 2013-14 season with three goals and 10 assists across the Spanish League and Champions League. It was a far cry from the 16 assists he provided a year earlier in the Spanish League alone; and in three fewer games, at that!
Barcelona did not win a single trophy at the end of the year and Iniesta failed to be the big game player many expected.
On the national team, Iniesta's high point was the goal against El Salvador. When Spain landed in Brazil a week later, all Iniesta could do is look on in embarrassment as his team was crushed 5-1 by the Dutch and subsequently eliminated in a 2-0 loss against Chile.
Since then, Iniesta has been a mixed bag. He has had some moments of brilliance, especially against Ajax a few weeks ago. But he has yet to get a single assist in the Spanish League through seven games. Instead he has two yellow cards, something he did not have all of last season.
At age 30, his prime has likely past and the once-untouchable Spaniard seems to be easier to knock off the ball. Injuries have hampered him incessantly (he is still nursing an injury this season) and it could be the end of his career in only a few years time.
Why He Will Win It
Crazier things have happened. Such as Iniesta being on the 23-man shortlist while Diego Godin and Luis Suarez are left off.
He has been popular in years past; in fact, last year he finished sixth in voting above the likes of Robin Van Persie, Arjen Robben, Gareth Bale, Radamel Falcao, Phillip Lahm, Robert Lewandowski, Andrea Pirlo and others who could all make an argument for being better than Iniesta.
He is on this list in 2014 out of respect for past achievements. And they are plentiful. But none of them came in 2014.
Why He Will Not Win
He never should have been on the list to begin with. He should have joined fellow teammate Xavi into the shadows of ignominy after the performance he delivered throughout the year for club and country. He has had his shining moments, but no one should win the Ballon d'Or based on a few games.
Moreover, his start to the current season indicates that he is no longer the main motor in Barcelona's midfield. This is probably his swansong on this list, unless he somehow turns around what has been a woeful year and produces an unforgettable display next season.
Predictions
He should finish 23rd of 23. When he is on his game, there are few players that can influence a match more than he can. But he has not been at that peak for a few years now.
Want to read about the other Ballon d'Or Candidates? Follow our series!
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