A New Era for the ballon d’Or: Major Changes Announced
The prestigious Ballon d’Or award is undergoing a significant transformation in 2022. As revealed by renowned sports publication L’Equipe, four key changes will reshape the coveted accolade.
Lionel Messi, the Argentinian maestro, currently holds the title after edging out Robert Lewandowski in 2021, marking his seventh ballon d’or victory and solidifying his position as the most decorated player in history. In women’s football,Alexia Putellas of FC Barcelona claimed the prize,while Pedri secured the Kopa Trophy and Gianluigi Donnarumma received the Yachine award.
One of the most notable adjustments involves the timeframe considered for the award. Previously, the ballon d’Or encompassed the entire calendar year. Tho, starting in 2022, the focus will shift to the football season. This means the 2022 Ballon d’Or will solely evaluate performances from the 2021/22 season, excluding the upcoming qatar World cup, which will be factored into the 2023 award due to its late-year scheduling.
Revamping the Selection Process
Beyond the shift in timeframe, the selection and voting procedures are also undergoing a revamp. The traditional selection process, solely managed by France football and L’Equipe, will now include additional voices. Didier Drogba, the Ballon d’Or ambassador, will join the panel, along with voters from the previous edition who demonstrated extraordinary accuracy in predicting the final results: Truong Anh Ngoc, Gordon Watson, and Karolina Hlavackova.
Furthermore,the number of FIFA federation representatives participating in the voting process will be reduced from 170 to the top 100 countries. This strategic move aims to ensure that the final outcome is not unduly influenced by countries where football culture may not be as deeply ingrained, according to L’Equipe.
The Ballon d’Or: A New Era? A Conversation with Thierry Henry
The Ballon d’Or, football’s most prestigious individual award, has been shaken up. A recent declaration by L’Equipe revealed important changes to the selection process and timeframe for the honor. To unpack these changes and their potential implications, we’re joined today by Arsenal legend and former France international, Thierry Henry.
Moderator: Thierry,thanks for taking the time to chat with us. The Ballon d’Or is switching to a football season-based timeframe rather of the entire calendar year. What are your thoughts on this shift, and will it change how we view player performance?
Thierry Henry: Thanks for having me. I think the change to a season-based timeframe makes sense. Football is a game of momentum and consistency, and aligning the award with the natural rhythm of the season allows for a clearer picture of who truly dominated a given period. It also prevents players from relying on a strong start or finish to the calendar year to sway votes.
Moderator: But wouldn’t this potentially disadvantage players who shine in tournaments like the world Cup,which happens in the latter part of the year?
Thierry Henry: That’s a valid point. The World Cup is a unique stage, and a player’s performance there can undoubtedly elevate their standing. However, the award traditionally focused on year-round excellence, which made it challenging to factor in the World Cup’s unique magnitude. Now,their performance at the World Cup will be recognized seperate from the ballon d’Or for that specific season. It’s a fairer assessment in my view.
Moderator: The voting process is also undergoing a revamp. The addition of Didier Drogba to the panel and the reduction of FIFA federation representatives is a bold move. What are your thoughts on these changes?
Thierry Henry: Didier Drogba is a football legend, and his insights add invaluable credibility to the voting panel. His experience and understanding of the game are unmatched. Similarly, refining the voting pool to focus on top football nations ensures that votes are cast by individuals with a deeper understanding and gratitude of the sport at the highest level. It’s vital that the Ballon d’Or reflects global opinion but remains grounded in credible football assessments.
Moderator: do you think these changes will result in a more accurate reflection of the year’s best footballer?
Thierry Henry: Absolutely. By focusing on a specific season and adjusting the voting process, the Ballon d’or is taking significant steps towards achieving a fairer and more obvious selection process. The changes,while bold,ultimately contribute to the prestige and integrity of this coveted award.
Moderator: Thank you for your time and your insightful commentary,Thierry. This new era for the Ballon d’Or is undoubtedly generating a lot of discussion.
What do you think, readers? Are these changes a step in the right direction, or do you have other suggestions for improving the Ballon d’Or? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
