Ronaldinho flops and flies

Shepherd's Bush held the FIFPro awards last year, and Ronaldinho's win that time was under no question or scrutiny. But after a sex-ravaged, PlayStation dominated German holiday and subsequent substandard outings for Barcelona, his retention of the crown, as voted for by fellow professionals, is surprising but not shocking.

The less learned players - aka the majority - will take little time in deciding their winner, while other will have switched on Sky Sports 3 and seen a Ronnie special in a lowly La Liga match, or perhaps Soccer AM's showboat was the deciding factor. Others will go by word of mouth. Or am I mistaken in this generalisation of some of the English players?!

No one can expect the players award to have much meaning or status - it is hard to pick out, from across Europe, the best player. The plaudits have not suddenly stopped for Ronaldinho, and he helped Barca to their Champions League crown and La Liga title last season.

But the belated revelation that Ronaldinho was heavier than his much-criticised compatriot Ronaldo at the World Cup explains, to a degree, his poor performances and is perhaps an indication that football is no longer at the forefront of his mind. While his ability is in tact, he will remain at Barcelona, but a move to Italy may not be far off if he desires greater wealth for less effort and pressure.

It summed up a good night for Barcelona as Lionel Messi won the Young FifPro Players' Player award and Samuel Eto'o the FifPro Merit Award, for speaking out against racism, although the purpose and validity of the award is dubious. For Messi, it is a much-deserved award for his outstanding dribbling ability, some of which was on show at the World Cup for Argentina. At only 19, what odds against him being the world's most valuable player in less than five years?

Zinedine Zidane made it into the world XI in spite of the ridiculous furore surrounding his dismissal, and the apparent want of some in football for that to be the only moment he will be remembered by.

I see he is an a new Adidas advert, and looking far happier than at any time on the pitch during his glittering career. It can't be the money - can it? Surely that comfortable sweatband...