Seven years, already! At the end of 2014, the Samba Gold is in its seventh edition. This year’s race will be as closely fought as ever, with a number of outstanding candidates.
The Barça striker, Neymar, figures for the first time in the list of 30 player nominated by our team of European football experts. This young man, aged just 22, likes to blow all records whenever he gets the chance and is the favourite this year. His main competitor will be Thiago Silva (Paris Saint-Germain), who has been the winner of the last three editions.
Talisca not selectable
Like every year, the vote will be held from 1 to 30 December for Sambafoot users.
For many of those, midfielder Talisca might be amongst their thoughts. Despite his impressive start at Benfica however, he is not eligible for the vote this time around, as those selected must have played in Europe for the full calendar year.
PSG dominates
Like last year, Paris Saint-Germain is the most represented club with five players (Thiago Silva, David Luiz, Maxwell, Lucas Moura and Marquinhos), while Chelsea follows right behind with four (Oscar, Willian, Filipe Luís, Ramires).
England, with seven candidates, remains the country with the most players nominated.
Fabinho, Mario Fernandes and some other surprises
Fabinho, of Monaco, leads the pick of younger players chosen and he is named for the first time along with Casemiro (Porto), Mário Fernandes (CSKA Moscow) and Leandro Castán (Roma), as well as Neymar.
Eleven major champions and experienced journalists
This year, Sambafoot turned to a dream team to vote in the company of website visitors (more than 150,000 last year).
Eleven former Brazil internationals will participate in the selection. Their collective choices will provide a third of the vote, with those involved including Carlos Alberto Torres, Cafu and Cree Raí.
A group of eleven journalists, including Paulo Vinicius Coelho (ESPN), Maldini (AS) and Tino Marcos (Globo), among others, will also supplement our voting panel.
VOTE NOW FOR THE 2014 SAMBA GOLD
The 30 nominated players:
Casemiro-FC Porto-Portugal
Daniel Alves-Barcelona-Spain
Danilo-FC Porto-Portugal
Dante-Bayern-Germany
David Luiz-PSG-France
Douglas Costa-Shakthar-Ukraine
Fabinho-Monaco-France
Felipe Melo-Galatasaray-Turkey
Fernandinho-Manchester City-England
Fernando -Manchester City-England
Filipe Luis-Chelsea-England
Hernanes-Inter Milan-Italy
Hulk-Zenit-Russia
Leandro Castan-Roma-Italy
Lucas -PSG-France
Luiz Adriano-Shakthar-Ukraine
Luiz Gustavo-Wolfsburg-Germany
Maicon-Roma-Italy
Marcelo-Real Madrid-Spain
Mario Fernandes-CSKA Moscou-Russia
Marquinhos-PSG-France
Maxwell-PSG-France
Miranda-Atletico Madrid-Spain
Neymar-Barcelone-Spain
Oscar-Chelsea-England
Philippe Coutinho-Liverpool-England
Ramires-Chelsea-England
Roberto Firmino-Hoffenheim-Germany
Thiago Silva-PSG-France
Willian-Chelsea-England
The Latests winners of the Samba Gold Trophy:
2013 : Thiago Silva (Paris Saint-Germain)
2012: Thiago Silva (Paris Saint-Germain)
2011: Thiago Silva (Milan AC)
2010: Maicon (Inter Milan)
2009: Luis Fabiano (FC Séville)
2008: Kaka (Milan AC)
