Top 5 Players Who Should Win the FIFA Ballon d’Or 2014

The Spanish defender was pivotal for Real Madrid last season. The goals he scored against Bayern Munich and Atletico Madrid in the UEFA Champions League contributed to his team’s success. Ramos was awarded the La Liga Defender of the Year and his defensive work should not go overlooked.

Although much of Atletico Madrid’s success last season could be boiled down to grit and selfless team play, Diego Costa was definitely the standout performer for the Colchoneros. Costa scored a total of 36 goals and terrorized defenses all over Europe on Atletico’s way to their first La Liga title since the 1995-96 season, as well as their second UEFA Champions League final.

Messi had a somewhat subdued season marred by injury, but even then his ability and achievements for Barcelona ranks among the world’s best. The Argentine scored 41 goals in 46 appearances in a season where he missed a good number of games, but he was unable to lead the Catalan side to any hardware.

Di Maria has been phenomenal in 2014 and has flourished in a more starring role at Manchester United. El Flacco was also the man of the match for Real Madrid in the Champions League final. The Argentine international has been criticized for his consistency, but 2014 has been the best year of his career. Di Maria even outshined some of Real Madrid’s Galacticos at times.

CR7 smashed the single-season record for goals scored in a single UEFA Champions League campaign by scoring 17 goals in 13 appearances. The Portuguese superstar was absolutely unstoppable all season long for Real Madrid, as the club won the much elusive La Decima. With the Ballon d’Or turning into a scoring title as of late, no other player is a viable threat to Ronaldo and his 2014 Ballon d'Or.