On Sunday, the world witness the 87th annual Academy Awards. Many people were betting the event and throwing parties but for football fans, let’s face it: it’s not the biggest draw. However, Oscars season is the perfect time for fans from around the world to reflect on the landscape of every sport and hand out their own awards in a number of different categories.
So, we got our academy of critics together and compiled a list of best-in-class in regards to soccer. Here is a look at our picks for Best Actor, Best Team, and of course the Best Score from the soccer world this year.
Best Score
Robin Van Persie vs. Spain (2014 World Cup)
RVP goal versus Spain at the 2014 World Cup held up as the prettiest of the calendar year as his perfectly timed run behind the defense was finished off with a beautiful diving header that found the back of the net. Van Persie’s brilliant header will go down as one of the most outstanding goals in World Cup history.
Best Director
Txiki Begiristain (Manchester City)
The director of football model is still debated a ton throughout Europe but there is no denying that it has worked out at Manchester City where Begiristain has been a central figure in the team’s success. Begiristain has pulled off multiple moves to keep City in contention both in the Premier League and Champions League.
Best Costume Design
Roma Away Kit
The perfect combination of a modern uniform that still has somewhat of a classic look to it yet still a fresh, innovative design belongs to the away kit that Roma has worn this season. The vivid diagonal stripe that features the club’s colors across the white jerseys puts it over the top for best costume.
Best Actor In A Supporting Role
Cesc Fabregas (Chelsea)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GGLp4SjIOkk
The 15 assists that Fabregas has picked up with Premier League leaders Chelsea so far this season is even more incredible when you hear that last year’s league leader, Steven Gerrard, posted only 13 with Liverpool throughout the entire campaign. Fabregas might not get the same attention as some of soccer’s best players from around the world but his role has been integral to Chelsea’s success so far and he will need to stay healthy the rest of the way for them to reach their potential at home and in the Champions League.
Best Team
Germany (World Cup 2014)
Germany’s 2014 World Cup winning team will go down as one of the best team’s in the history of the tournament as they dominated their way through the group stage and then blew away the host side Brazil with a devastating 7-1 win before reaching the final where they took down Argentina with a clean 1-0 win. The lopsided result versus Brazil is still shocking to look back at now. It will forever be a sore spot for the Brazilians, who had to watch their team put forth one of the ugliest performances in the tournament’s history on their home soil.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uQ9bgQCRmWw
For Germany, there was never a moment throughout the tournament when it seemed as though they were at risk of falling short of their goal. Dominant from beginning to end, it’s clear that the World Cup winners deserve this award.
Best Actor (Best Player)
Cristiano Ronaldo
Incredible goal scoring totals combined with a Champions League trophy and Ballon d’Or award is enough to ensure that Ronaldo takes home the main event award for the best player in soccer this past year. Ronaldo overcame knee injuries to produce a spectacular season and while the World Cup didn’t go as expected for Portugal, he put up amazing club numbers to win this award. While Barcelona’s Lionel Messi was his chief competitor in this award, he’ll remain just a nominee this year. Real Madrid is on top of the La Liga table and is once again in contention to win the Champions League, and Ronaldo is the biggest reason for it.
