© EuroFootball.com
On Monday evening, the football world found out the best of the past year. Unfortunately, the Spaniards, who had nurtured so much hope, were left disappointed. The country's media did not hide their frustration when it was announced that the best strategist of 2010 was Portuguese Jose Mourinho, and the "Golden Ball" for the second consecutive year went to the Argentine Lionel Messi.
It seems that the "Furia Roja" did everything to win the most important season awards, but even impressive achievements were not enough to convince the voters. Last year, the Spanish national team finally became world champions, and their coach Vicente del Bosque was one of the three candidates for the best coach of the season. The coach of "Barcelona," Josep Guardiola, and Jose Mourinho also aspired to be the coach of the year.
Barcelona defenders Xavi and Andres Iniesta performed impressively not only in their club but also in the national team. Both became champions of Spain and the world. And although there were two Spaniards in both nominations, their achievements of the past year were not enough to earn the sympathy of the voters...
The "Golden Ball" unexpectedly went to Messi, who received 22.65% of the votes. Iniesta came second with 17.36% of the votes, and third was Xavi with 16.48% of the votes.
In the best coach voting, Mourinho, who won the "triplet" with Inter Milan, triumphed with 35.92% of the votes. Therefore, the only Spaniard to ever receive the "Golden Ball" remains Luis Suarez. The prestigious award was given to the former leader of Barcelona in 1960.
