FRANCE FOOTBALL have announced FOUR key major changes for the voting process in future Ballon d’Ors.
Lionel Messi controversially collected the coveted trophy back in November for the seventh time.
Lionel Messi controversially lifted the 2021 Ballon d’Or
The Barcelona legend and now Paris Saint-Germain forward pipped Bayern Munich’s Robert Lewandowski and Chelsea midfielder Jorginho to the award.
He received it after helping Barca to the Copa del Rey and Argentina to Copa America success.
France Football also introduced the Ballon d’Or Feminin back in 2018.
And the 2021 award went to Barcelona star Alexia Putellas.
Both awards – as well as the Kopa Trophy for the best player under 21 and the Yashin Trophy for the best goalkeeper – are voted for captains, coaches and journalists.
The Ballon d’Or has been running since 1956 – but now organisers have decided to make some changes.
The changes will come into effect straight away starting with the 2022 accolade.
And here, as per France Football, are the alterations:
- A change from judging by years to by seasons: decisions will now be based on performances between the traditional season of August and July, rather than calendar years, which used to combine two half-campaigns.
- A change in who puts together the shortlists: Ballon d’Or ambassador Didier Drogba and the journalists who came closer to getting the last year’s results right will be involved in choosing the shortlisted candidates, which runs to 30 for the main award and 20 for the young player and goalkeeper trophy.
- A change in the number of people able to vote: last year saw representatives from 170 countries take part in the process, but from now on only the top 100 countries in the FIFA rankings – and the top 50 for women’s football – will be able to vote.
- A slight tweak to the criteria: as it’s an individual award, voters are being instructed to focus on the players’ individual performances over collective achievements, with fair play and setting a good example also counting towards the overall weighting.
It remains to be seen what the changes will mean and we are unlikely to see the difference until the process kicks into gear later this year.
Did you miss our previous article…
https://www.sportingexcitement.com/football/premier-league/man-utd-vs-tottenham-live-stream-tv-channel-kick-off-team-news-for-huge-premier-league-clash-tomorrow/
