Present in Qatar for the organization of the FIFA The Best 2024 trophy ceremony, Gianni Infantino, the president of FIFA, dropped a punchline that shouldn't please France Football, the organizer of the Ballon d'Or.
FIFA has just unveiled the best player of 2024. As every year, the governing body of world football organizes the The Best trophy ceremony to reward the best actors in football. With a wide voting panel that includes the main actors of the round ball, including coaches, national team captains, journalists, and even fans, the event is highly successful.
Although it is less publicized than the Ballon d'Or, organized by France Football and UEFA, due to communication and organization shortcomings, as noted by RMC Sport, The Best remains more credible, as confessed by Gianni Infantino.
FIFA's Subtle Jab at France Football
Gianni Infantino (FIFA) Destroys France Football's Ballon d'Or: "To Know Who Is..."
At the opening of the ceremony, held in Doha, Qatar, this Tuesday, the FIFA president didn't hesitate to drop a big jab at France Football. Aware of the harsh criticism faced by the French magazine due to its way of electing the Ballon d'Or, Gianni Infantino publicly confessed that more attention and credit should be given to the FIFA The Best trophy.
"If you want to know who is the best in the world, it's FIFA that should tell you. Because everyone votes, it's transparent, it's objective, it's inclusive," declared the Swiss leader this Tuesday.
After the controversy surrounding Rodri's crowning at the 2024 Ballon d'Or, with lunar choices from some jury members, composed only of journalists representing over a hundred countries, it's Vinicius Junior who won the FIFA The Best 2024 trophy. With 48 points, the Madrid winger logically won this major trophy ahead of Rodri, who didn't disappoint, finishing second with 43 points.
While most national team captains and fans voted for the 24-year-old Brazilian star, coaches and journalists gave their trust to Rodri. In any case, it's clear that The Best FIFA, which includes several categories of voters, is far more credible than France Football's Ballon d'Or, which clearly needs to review its approach to maintain a good image and avoid controversies every year.