Hodgson’s vote was cast for defensive midfielder Javier Mascherano.
England manager Roy Hodgson’s selections for the 2014 Ballon d’Or have now been released by FIFA, following the announcement of Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo as having retained his award, picking up a third title.
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Ronaldo beat fierce rival Lionel Messi, of Barcelona, to the award, as well as Bayern Munich goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, but England manager Hodgson was not one of those who felt that Ronaldo was deserving of the accolade, with the Portuguese international not even making Hodgson’s final list of three.
The voting process works by the coach and captain, as well as one journalist, from each of the nations affiliated with FIFA casting a top three, with these votes then extrapolated to find the overall winner and final shortlist of three.
Hodgson’s selection was one of the most surprising in the document released by FIFA following the award, with Argentina defensive midfielder Javier Mascherano, who plays his club football for Barcelona, being the man who Hodgson felt the award should’ve gone to.
Ronaldo was missing entirely, as was Lionel Messi, with German duo Phillip Lahm and Neuer coming second and third on Hodgson’s voting slip respectively – clearly not a man to go with the crowd!