FIFA President Gianni Infantino has stated that only the global football governing body has the authority to determine the best player in the world.
His comments, seemingly aimed at the Ballon d’Or, were made during the 2024 FIFA The Best Awards on Tuesday night.
Infantino argued that FIFA should be the organization responsible for choosing the world’s best player, citing its unique voting system.
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Both the Ballon d’Or and FIFA The Best are prestigious individual awards in football.
Vinicius Junior of Real Madrid was named the FIFA Best Men’s Player of the Year for 2024.
The Ballon d’Or, organized by France Football, is voted on by top journalists worldwide. In contrast, FIFA handles The Best award, with voting participation from fans, national team captains and coaches, as well as media representatives.
Speaking at the 2024 FIFA The Best ceremony in Doha, Qatar, Infantino said, “If you want to know the best in the world, it should be by FIFA. Because everyone votes, it’s transparent, it’s objective, it’s all-inclusive.”
Infantino’s remarks followed the controversial 2024 Ballon d’Or ceremony, where Manchester City’s Rodri narrowly defeated Vinicius Jr. for the award.