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Twelve Dutch in race for Ballon d’Or Dream Team; Eto’o pissed off

Monday, October 19, 2020 at

France Football announced on Monday the last nominees for its Ballon d’Or Dream Team, which is being assembled this year to replace the Ballon d’Or award ceremony for the Footballer of the Year. The French magazine previously made this decision as it believes that 2020 is not a representative football year due to the corona crisis.

The number of nominated Dutch players comes to twelve. After Edwin van der Sar, Wim Suurbier, Ronald Koeman, Ruud Krol, Clarence Seedorf, Frank Rijkaard and Johan Neeskens were already pushed forward for a place in the goal, in the defense or in midfield, there are also four Dutch contenders for the attack of it dream team. Johan Cruijff, Marco van Basten, Dennis Bergkamp and Arjen Robben have all been nominated.

A total of 110 players have now been nominated for the squad, which will eventually be assembled by 170 football journalists from around the world. That not everyone is happy with his nomination is evident from a response from Samuel Eto’o. The Cameroonian has been selected for the attack, but as a right winger: “Thanks. But I’ve only played 1 or 2 seasons on the right side (and 25 years in the striker anyway). The lack of respect. France Football, what nonsense! ”He responds irritably on Twitter.

Besides Eto’o, Robben has also been selected for the right winger position in what will eventually be a 3-4-3 line-up. They face competition from players such as David Beckham, George Best, Luís Figo and Lionel Messi. In addition to Cruijff, Bergkamp and Van Basten, Eusébio, Romário and Ronaldo have also been selected for the striker position, while Cristiano Ronaldo, Ryan Giggs, Thierry Henry, Rivaldo and Ronaldinho, among others, have a chance in the left winger position.