When Lionel Messi was controversially awarded the FIFA World Player of the Year and the Ballon d’Or last year, many eyebrows were raised. While Messi’s brilliance is unquestionable, the 2018-19 season presented a compelling case for Virgil van Dijk, who had an impeccable campaign with Liverpool. Yet, FIFA and France Football chose the Argentine maestro over the Dutch defender, sparking debates about favouritism and commercial bias.
Fast forward to 2020, amidst a global pandemic, France
Football took the unprecedented step of cancelling the Ballon d’Or. However,
other awards went ahead, and the nominations once again stoked
controversy.
When the top three finalists for FIFA’s Player of the Year
were revealed, the inclusion of Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo baffled many. While
both players are icons of the sport, their performances during the 2019-20
season didn’t justify such recognition. Messi’s year was overshadowed by Barcelona’s
dismal campaign, culminating in an 8-2 drubbing at the hands of Bayern Munich.
Similarly, Ronaldo, despite his individual brilliance, failed to elevate Juventus
to the heights expected.
Former footballer Dimitar Berbatov captured the sentiment
succinctly in his column for Betfair:
“I'm surprised that Cristiano Ronaldo and Messi are among
the finalists. I can't understand why they should fill those positions.
Unfortunately, football is a business, and behind the scenes, there are agents,
press, and much more beyond what we see. It's a bit embarrassing.”
The omission of deserving players like Neymar and Manuel
Neuer only deepened the scepticism. Neymar, instrumental in Paris
Saint-Germain’s journey to the Champions League final, was conspicuously absent
from both the top three and FIFA’s Best XI. Similarly, Neuer, who won the Best
Goalkeeper award, found himself excluded from the FIFA XI—a glaring
contradiction.
Neymar’s brilliance in leading a historically underwhelming
PSG to the cusp of European glory and Neuer’s indispensable role in Bayern
Munich’s treble-winning campaign deserved greater acknowledgement. Their
exclusion highlights a systemic oversight in recognizing merit over
marketability.
Even the Best Coach award was not immune to controversy.
While Jurgen Klopp’s triumph with Liverpool was extraordinary, Hansi Flick’s
achievements with Bayern Munich were unparalleled. Flick transformed Bayern
into an unstoppable force, claiming the Bundesliga, DFB-Pokal, and Champions
League. Klopp himself seemed surprised by his victory, candidly admitting:
“I really think after
winning the treble – German Cup, German League, and the Champions League – I
thought Flick would win it, to be honest. He did an exceptional job.”
In the end, FIFA did not completely lose sight of merit.
Robert Lewandowski, Bayern’s talismanic striker, was rightfully crowned FIFA’s
Best Player of the Year. His astounding tally of 55 goals in 47 appearances was
pivotal in Bayern’s treble-winning season. Lewandowski not only dominated the
Bundesliga but also emerged as the top scorer in the Champions League and
DFB-Pokal.
For Lewandowski, this award was both a culmination of his
relentless dedication and a bittersweet consolation, given the cancellation of
the Ballon d’Or—a decision he openly criticized:
“Maybe they decided
too early because every [other] trophy has been decided. So many players,
coaches, journalists know that, for me, it was the best season.”
His victory was a refreshing departure from the
Messi-Ronaldo duopoly that had dominated the awards for over a decade. It was a
recognition of pure footballing merit, devoid of commercial agendas.
As Lewandowski himself said: “Regardless of where you come
from, all that matters is what you put into it.
The FIFA and Ballon d’Or awards have long been the gold
standard in recognizing excellence in football. However, their credibility is
increasingly questioned due to perceived biases. Rivalries like those of Messi
and Ronaldo have enriched the sport but should not overshadow the achievements of
equally deserving players.
In 2020, amidst unprecedented challenges, FIFA took a step
toward redemption by honouring Lewandowski. This victory is not just his but a
reminder to the footballing world that greatness transcends names and
narratives.
Let this serve as a lesson: merit must always triumph over
marketability, for the soul of football lies in fairness and celebration of true
excellence.
Thank You
Faisal Caesar
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