Infantino (FIFA) Criticizes the Ballon d’Or: “To Know Who Is…”

During the FIFA The Best 2024 awards ceremony in Qatar, FIFA President Gianni Infantino made comments that are likely to provoke a reaction from France Football, the organizers of the Ballon d’Or.

FIFA recently presented its award for the best player of the year.

Their annual The Best awards ceremony recognizes the top players in the sport, utilizing a broad voting panel that includes coaches, team captains, journalists, and fans. The event enjoys considerable success.

Although it receives less publicity than the Ballon d’Or, organized by France Football and UEFA, due to perceived shortcomings in communication and organization (as noted by RMC Sport), The Best is considered more credible, according to Infantino.

FIFA’s Sublte Jab at France Football

During the opening of the ceremony in Doha, Infantino didn’t hesitate to deliver a pointed remark aimed at France Football.

Acknowledging the strong criticism the French magazine faces regarding its Ballon d’Or selection process, Infantino publicly stated that The Best FIFA trophy deserves more attention and credit. “If you want to know who is the best in the world, FIFA should tell you.

Because everyone votes, it’s transparent, it’s objective, it’s inclusive,” the Swiss executive declared.

Following the controversy surrounding Rodri’s Ballon d’Or win in 2024, marked by questionable choices from some jury members (composed solely of journalists representing around a hundred countries), Vinicius Junior won the FIFA The Best 2024 award.

The Real Madrid winger logically secured this major trophy with 48 points, ahead of Rodri, who finished second with 43 points.

While most national team captains and fans voted for the 24-year-old Brazilian star, coaches and journalists favored Rodri.

In any case, it must be said: The Best FIFA, with its diverse voting categories, is much more credible than the Ballon d’Or from France Football, which clearly needs to review its methods to maintain a positive image and avoid annual controversies.