The 2022 Ballon d’Or: A New Era for Football’s Highest Honor
The 2022 Ballon d’Or is set to be a landmark event,marking a critically importent shift in how football’s most prestigious individual award is determined. While Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have dominated the award in recent years, the revamped format could see a new champion emerge.Messi’s 2021 victory, his seventh Ballon d’Or, sparked debate. Despite leading Argentina to Copa america glory, his club performance with Barcelona was underwhelming, failing to secure La Liga or champions League titles. His move to Paris Saint-Germain hasn’t yielded the expected results either, with a relatively modest goal tally and a disappointing Champions League exit in the Round of 16.
However, Messi’s potential resurgence with Argentina at the 2022 World Cup and a strong start to the following season could have placed him in contention. But France Football, the organizers of the Ballon d’Or, have introduced a new set of criteria that significantly alters the landscape.
The most impactful change is the shift to a full-season assessment period, running from August 2021 to July 2022. This means the 2022 World Cup, a tournament traditionally influential in Ballon d’Or voting, will not be considered. Only the UEFA Women’s European Championship, held from July 6th to 31st, will factor into the 2022 edition.This change effectively eliminates Messi and Ronaldo from contention, as their performances in qatar will only be considered for the 2023 Ballon d’Or. The award ceremony for the 2022 edition is scheduled for October 2022.
Further emphasizing individual brilliance, the voting process will now prioritize individual achievements over team success. Goals, assists, saves, and even fair play will be crucial factors.
the pool of voters has been streamlined. Journalists from the top 100 FIFA-ranked countries will now cast their votes, down from 150 for the men’s category and 50 for the women’s category.
Adding a personal touch, Ballon d’Or Ambassador Didier Drogba will join the voting panel, alongside journalists who were closest to the final result in the previous edition. This new structure promises a more focused and arguably fairer assessment of individual excellence in football.
A New Era for the ballon d’Or: An Exclusive Interview with Former England Striker, Michael Owen
The 2022 Ballon d’Or is shaping up to be a seismic shift in the world of football. Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, the titans who have dominated the award for over a decade, are technically out of the running! France Football, the organizers, have revamped the award format, leaving fans and pundits alike buzzing with speculation.
To dissect these changes and explore what they mean for the future of this prestigious accolade, we caught up with former England striker and Ballon d’Or runner-up, Michael Owen.
Moderator: Michael, the Ballon d’Or is synonymous with Messi and Ronaldo. Their absence from this year’s contention must feel strange. What are your thoughts on these new criteria, particularly the shift to a full-season assessment period?
Michael Owen: I think it’s a bold move by France Football. It definitely adds a layer of complexity, as you’re no longer just rewarding excellence in a calendar year, but factoring in a whole season’s worth of performance. It’s fascinating, actually.
Moderator:
Absolutely. And of course, this means the World Cup, traditionally a major influence on Ballon d’Or voting, is excluded.While messi and Ronaldo’s performances in Qatar won’t be considered, it opens the door for some unexpected contenders.
Michael Owen: Totally. We could see players emerge who might not have traditionally been in the limelight. Someone who had a phenomenal season but didn’t necessarily shine on the international stage could suddenly be a frontrunner.It adds a real element of surprise.
Moderator:
The voting process itself has also been tweaked, with more emphasis on individual brilliance. Goals, assists, saves, even fair play are now key factors. Do you think this is a positive change, as some argue it might overlook the importance of team success?
Michael Owen: I understand the argument about team success. Football is ultimately a team sport. But I also believe individual brilliance should be celebrated. This new format shines a light on those players who are truly game-changers, nonetheless of team performance.
Moderator:
The final voting pool has also been dramatically reduced,focusing on journalists from the top 100 FIFA-ranked countries. Does this bring more geographical portrayal and a fairer assessment of global talent?
Michael Owen: Pot있entially. It’s great to see a broader cross-section of footballing opinions being included. Whether it’s truly “fairer” is debatable, but it certainly seems to be a step in that direction.
Moderator:
Michael, based on these changes, who would you see as potential front-runners for the 2022 Ballon d’Or?
Michael Owen: This is where it gets really fascinating! You have karim Benzema having a stellar season with Real Madrid, winning La Liga and the Champions League. Robert Lewandowski’s goal-scoring prowess for Bayern Munich continues to be extraordinary. And let’s not forget Kevin De Bruyne, the maestro behind Manchester City’s success. It’s a tough call, but these three undoubtedly deserve serious consideration.
Moderator: It truly is a fascinating time for the Ballon d’Or.
Michael, thank you so much for your insights.
What are your thoughts on these changes to the Ballon d’Or? Who do YOU think deserves to lift the coveted trophy in 2022? Share your predictions in the comments below!
