Present in Qatar for the organisation of the FIFA The Best 2024 award ceremony, Gianni Infantino, the FIFA president, delivered a punchline that is unlikely to please France Football, the organisers of the Ballon d’Or.
FIFA has just revealed the best player of 2024. As it does every year, the world football governing body hosted the ceremony for the The Best trophy to honour the best performers in football. With a broad voting panel that includes key figures of the sport—such as coaches, national team captains, journalists, and even fans—the event enjoys significant success.
Although it receives less media coverage than the Ballon d’Or, organised by France Football and UEFA, due to shortcomings in communication and organisation as noted by RMC Sport, The Best remains more credible, according to Gianni Infantino.
FIFA’s subtle dig at France Football
At the opening of the ceremony, held in Doha, Qatar, on Tuesday, the FIFA president did not hesitate to take a sharp swipe at France Football. Aware of the harsh criticism faced by the French magazine over its method of awarding the Ballon d’Or, Gianni Infantino publicly asserted that more attention and credit should be given to the FIFA The Best trophy.
“If you want to know who the best in the world is, it’s FIFA that should tell you. Because everyone votes, it’s transparent, it’s objective, it’s inclusive,” the Swiss leader stated on Tuesday.
Following the controversy surrounding Rodri’s Ballon d’Or 2024 win—marked by bizarre choices from some jury members, which are exclusively journalists representing around 100 countries—Vinicius Junior claimed the FIFA The Best 2024 trophy. With 48 points, the Madrid winger deservedly secured this major accolade ahead of Rodri, who also impressed but finished second with 43 points.
While most national team captains and fans voted for the 24-year-old Brazilian star, coaches and journalists placed their trust in Rodri. In any case, it must be said: FIFA The Best, which incorporates various categories of voters, is far more credible than France Football’s Ballon d’Or, which clearly needs to review its methods to maintain a positive image and avoid yearly controversies.
