The 2023 Ballon d’Or awards recently took place, with Manchester City’s Rodri and Barcelona’s Aitana Bonmatí being crowned as the world’s top footballers. However, there has been some controversy surrounding the rankings, particularly regarding Real Madrid’s Vinicius Jr., who finished behind Rodri. Journalist Mansour Loum shared some insights into the voting process and Vinicius’s position in the football world.
Loum highlighted a common issue where votes for players from the same team can be split, which ultimately affects their chances of winning. This was evident in 2019 when Liverpool players Virgil Van Dijk, Mohamed Salah, and Sadio Mané all finished behind Lionel Messi. Loum explained that when players from the same team are competing for the top spot, their votes are divided, making it harder for any one player to come out on top.
Vinicius Jr. has been vocal about the racial abuse he has faced in La Liga and has taken a strong stand against it. However, Loum suggested that his activism might actually have a negative impact on some voters. He raised concerns about whether a player’s fight against racism could hinder their chances of being recognized for their talent, highlighting potential biases in both society and the world of sports.
Loum also questioned the recent changes to the Ballon d’Or voting process, which now restricts voters to representatives from the top 100 FIFA-ranked countries, as opposed to the previous inclusion of voters from over 200 nations. He argued that this shift may not accurately reflect the diversity of football, as it excludes voices from developing nations that also have a significant impact on the sport.
Overall, the 2023 Ballon d’Or awards have sparked debate and raised important questions about the voting system, player recognition, and diversity in football. It is crucial for the sport to address these issues and ensure that all players, regardless of their background or activism, are given a fair chance to be recognized for their talent and contributions to the game.