On the occasion of the FIFA the Best 2024 award ceremony, the president of the said federation Gianni Infantino took a small dig at France Football and its Ballon d’Or.
The FIFA The Best trophy ceremony took place this Tuesday, December 17, 2024 in Qatar. But to everyone’s surprise, it was Real Madrid player Vinicius Jr who was crowned.
Usually, the FIFA trophy went to the person who was crowned Ballon d’Or. But this time, the Spaniard Rodri was beaten to the post by the Brazilian from Real Madrid.
As a reminder, the votes which crowned Rodri Ballon d’Or ahead of Vinicius were subject to numerous criticisms. According to all the polls carried out, the Real Madrid player was the winner. But alas! He was only 2nd at the finish. This disillusionment had created an unprecedented outcry.
This time, FIFA and Gianni Infantino were “just”. And the president of the Fédération International de Football Association did not miss the opportunity to attack the France Football organization.
“If you want to know who is the best in the world, it has to go through FIFA. Everyone votes. It is transparent, objective and inclusive for all”he declared mischievously.
Thus, Gianni Infantino reminded the France Football organization that the 2024 Ballon d’Or trophy no longer has legitimacy. On the other hand, the FIFA The Best prize has a certain hegemony.
The war that has taken place between the two football institutions since their separation is far from having delivered its last episode.
FIFA has always wanted to monopolize the popularity of the France Football Ballon d’Or, hence their union in 2010. After their separation, the last trophies awarded by France Football were often criticized.
Gianni Infantino is then taking advantage of the decline in popularity of the Ballon d’Or to boost that of the FIFA The Best prize.
