It’s back! The Samba Gold trophy returns to celebrate its 6th anniversary. In 2008, it was AC Milan’s Kaká who dominated the contest from the start. After, Luis Fabiano (Sevilla) in 2009, Maicon (Internazionale) in 2010 and Thiago Silva (AC Milan), two times in 2011 and 2012 who raised the trophy and added the accolade to their individual honours.
As like every year, the vote runs from the 1st of December to the 30th of December, with voters from all around the world.
Noticeable absentee’s are, Neymar, who hasn’t completed a full season with his new club Barcelona, Diego Costa misses out after choosing Spain as his nationality, Kaka and Robinho are still finding their best form after a poor few years in the wilderness and new Tottenham signing Paulinho also misses out.
Eleven great champions and experienced journalists
As with every year, the election will be composed of three voting groups: the internet users of the world (more than 150000 voted in 2012), eleven former players of the Brazil National Team (Cafu, Rai, Carlos Alberto Torres…) and also eleven journalists specialised in Brazilian and European football, last year including the BBC’s Tim Vickery and ESPN regular Andy Brassell.
The 30 nominees to win the Samba Gold Trophy 2013:
Dante – Bayern – Germany
Luiz Gustavo – Wolfsburg – Germany
Roberto Firmino – Hoffenheim – Germany
David Luiz – Chelsea – England
Fernandinho – Manchester City – England
Lucas Leiva – Liverpool – England
Oscar – Chelsea – England
Philippe Coutinho – Liverpool – England
Rafael – Manchester United – England
Ramires – Chelsea – England
Adriano – Barcelone – Spain
Daniel Alves – Barcelone – Spain
Filipe Luis – Atletico Madrid – Spain
Marcelo – Real Madrid – Spain
Miranda – Atletico Madrid – Spain
Alex – PSG – France
Brandão – Saint-Etienne – France
Lucas – PSG – France
Marquinhos – PSG – France
Maxwell – PSG – France
Thiago Silva – PSG – France
Hernanes – Lazio – Italy
Maicon – Roma – Italy
Fernando – Porto – Portugal
Lima – Benfica – Portugal
Hulk – Zenit – Russia
Felipe Melo – Galatasaray – Turkey
Alex Teixeira – Shakthar – Ukraine
Douglas Costa – Shakthar – Ukraine
Luiz Adriano – Shakthar – Ukraine
Countries represented:
England: 7
France: 6
Spain: 5
Germany: 3
Ukraine: 3
Italy: 2
Portugal: 2
Russia: 1
Turkey: 1
Samba Gold Honours Board:
- 2012: Thiago Silva (Paris Saint-Germain)
- 2011: Thiago Silva (AC Milan)
- 2010: Maicon (Internazionale)
- 2009: Luis Fabiano (Sevilla)
- 2008: Kaka (AC Milan)
Samba Gold videos:
2008 – Kaka (Milan AC)
2009 – Luis Fabiano (FC Séville)
2010 – Maicon (Inter Milan)
2011 – Thiago Silva (Milan AC)
2012 – Thiago Silva (Paris Saint-Germain):
