Aitana Bonmatí of Barcelona and Rodri of Manchester City were named the world’s best football players at the 2023 Ballon d’Or honors. But the rankings have generated controversy, particularly in relation to Vinicius Jr. of Real Madrid, who came in second to Rodri. Journalist Mansour Loum shed light on Vinicius’s reputation in the sport and the voting process.
Mansour Loum brought up the persistent problem of players from the same team receiving different votes, which affects their chances of winning. He pointed out how Sadio Mané, Mohamed Salah, and Virgil Van Dijk of Liverpool all finished below Lionel Messi in 2019 and faced comparable situations. Players from the same squad tend to cast less votes when they are competing for the top spot. They would have a much better chance of victory if only one player was advanced.
Vinicius Jr., vocal about racial abuse faced in La Liga, has taken a strong stand, yet Loum believes his activism could negatively influence some voters. “If a player’s fight against racism affects his recognition, it raises serious questions about the mindset in society and the sport.”
Loum also questioned the latest modifications to the Ballon d’Or voting process, which now only allow representatives from the top 100 FIFA-ranked nations to vote, as opposed to the previous 200+. He pointed out that this change might not accurately reflect the diversity of football, implying that voices from underdeveloped countries are now being left out.
(Africanews)
