## The Ballon d’Or Gets a Modern Makeover
The prestigious Ballon d’Or award, recognizing the world’s best footballers, is undergoing a meaningful transformation. France Football, the magazine behind the award for the past seven decades, announced a series of reforms aimed at enhancing openness and relevance in the face of evolving football dynamics. [[1]]
One of the most notable changes is the shift in the evaluation period. Moving forward, the award will be based on a player’s performance throughout a single season (August to July) rather than a calendar year. This means that the 2022 Qatar World Cup, scheduled for December, will not factor into the 2022 Ballon d’Or deliberations. Conversely, the UEFA Women’s euro 2022, taking place in July, will be considered. [[2]]
This adjustment reflects the increasingly packed football calendar and aims to provide a more focused assessment of individual brilliance within a defined timeframe.Further emphasizing individual excellence, the revamped criteria will place greater weight on “individual and decisive performance” compared to collective achievements and sportsmanship.
The voting process itself is also being streamlined. The number of journalists participating in the selection will be reduced from 170 to 100, with representation limited to journalists from the top-ranked FIFA nations. Similarly, the women’s Ballon d’Or voting panel will consist of 50 specialized journalists.
In a bid to introduce fresh perspectives,the nomination process will now involve Didier Drogba,the ballon d’Or ambassador,and the journalist whose vote demonstrated the most insightful analysis in the previous year. For the upcoming men’s award, this honor goes to Truong Anh Ngoc from Vietnam’s The Thao & van Hoa, who accurately predicted the top five finishers in the 2021 Ballon d’Or. Karolina Hlavackova from Czech Republic’s Ruik will fulfill this role for the women’s award.
These changes, driven by a desire for greater transparency and alignment with the modern game, signal a new era for the Ballon d’Or. [[3]]
A New Era for Football’s Top Honor: An Exclusive Interview with Jessica McDonald
The Ballon d’Or, a name synonymous with footballing excellence, is getting a modern facelift.As France Football ushers in a series of reforms aimed at enhancing relevance and transparency, the changes have sparked debate across the sporting world. Today, we’re joined by former US women’s National Team striker and two-time World Cup champion, Jessica McDonald, to dissect these adjustments and explore their potential impact on the prestigious award.
Moderator: Welcome, Jessica! Thank you for joining us today.
Jessica McDonald: Thanks for having me! It’s great to be here.
Moderator: As you know, the Ballon d’Or is synonymous with individual brilliance. One of the most critically important changes is the shift in the evaluation period, focusing on a single season rather than a calendar year. What are your thoughts on this move?
Jessica McDonald: I think it’s a good change. Football is changing; the calendar is packed with more competitions than ever before. Evaluating players based on a full season makes more sense in terms of judging consistent performance, rather than relying on a few standout moments spread across a year.
Moderator: absolutely. And this shift means the 2022 World cup, while a monumental event, won’t factor into this year’s Ballon d’Or. Do you think this will perhaps impact the momentum of certain players heading into the voting?
Jessica McDonald: It’s possible. The World Cup is a massive stage, and players frequently enough step up their game in those moments. But, the extended timeframe focuses on consistency, which I believe is crucial for recognizing a truly exceptional player.
Moderator: The reform underscores individual achievement, placing greater emphasis on “individual and decisive performance.” Do you believe this change accurately reflects the complexities of modern football, especially with regards to team tactics and strategies?
Jessica McDonald: It’s a tricky balance. Team success certainly contributes to individual accolades. However, recognizing individual brilliance within a team structure, those moments that truly shift the game, is important.
Moderator: The voting process itself is being streamlined, reducing the number of journalists involved and focusing on representation from top FIFA-ranked nations. Do you think this will make the voting process more accurate, or is there a risk of excluding diverse perspectives?
Jessica McDonald: I understand the desire for a more focused and representative panel.However, diverse perspectives are vital for avoiding bias and ensuring a truly global evaluation of talent. I hope they find a way to maintain inclusivity while refining the process.
Moderator: with the introduction of didier Drogba and journalists who demonstrated insightful analysis into the selection process, what significance do you see in including
these fresh perspectives?
Jessica McDonald: Bringing in figures like Didier Drogba, who understands the pressures and demands of the game from a player’s perspective, is a brilliant move.And recognizing journalists whose analysis showcases deeper understanding adds another layer of expertise to the selection process.
Moderator: We’ve covered a lot of ground today, Jessica. Thank you for sharing your valuable insights.
Jessica McDonald: It was a pleasure!
Readers, what are your thoughts on the Ballon d’Or makeover? Do you agree with the changes, or do you think certain aspects need further reevaluation? Share your opinions in the comments below! Let’s keep the conversation going!
