Fiona Nanna, ForeMedia News

5 minutes read. Updated 12:02PM GMT Wed, 30th October, 2024

The 2023 Ballon d’Or awards have concluded, naming Manchester City’s Rodri and Barcelona’s Aitana Bonmatí the best footballers in the world. While these selections have been celebrated, they have also sparked significant debate, particularly surrounding Real Madrid’s Vinicius Jr., who found himself trailing behind Rodri in the rankings. Prominent journalist Mansour Loum has taken to social media and other platforms to share his perspectives on the voting dynamics and the broader implications for Vinicius’s career and activism in football.

The Voting Dynamics

Mansour Loum highlights a recurring problem in football’s voting landscape: the splitting of votes among teammates. This phenomenon can severely impact a player’s chances of achieving top honors. Loum draws parallels to the 2019 Ballon d’Or, where Liverpool’s Virgil Van Dijk, Mohamed Salah, and Sadio Mané all finished behind Lionel Messi. “When players from the same team compete for the top, their votes tend to dilute,” Loum explained. “If only one player was pushed forward, their chances of winning would be far stronger.” This insight raises concerns about how team dynamics affect individual recognition in a sport that often celebrates collective achievements.

The Racial Abuse Dilemma

Vinicius Jr. has been at the forefront of discussions surrounding racial abuse in football, particularly in Spain’s La Liga, where he has publicly criticized the systemic racism faced by players of color. While Loum commends Vinicius for his courageous stand, he cautions that such activism may inadvertently sway some voters. “If a player’s fight against racism affects his recognition, it raises serious questions about the mindset in society and the sport,” Loum stated, underscoring the complex interplay between activism and acceptance in professional sports.

Changes to Voting Criteria

Loum also questioned the recent modifications to the Ballon d’Or voting process. Previously, representatives from over 200 countries participated in the voting, but this year, the pool was restricted to those from the top 100 FIFA-ranked nations. Loum argues that this change diminishes the global representation of football, potentially sidelining voices from developing countries. “This shift may not fully represent football’s diversity,” he noted, suggesting that the exclusion of these voices could skew the awards towards a more Eurocentric perspective, overlooking talents from less-represented regions.

A Call for Reform

In light of these issues, Loum advocates for a reevaluation of how votes are cast and counted in prestigious awards like the Ballon d’Or. The current system, he argues, not only influences the outcomes but also reflects broader societal attitudes towards race, representation, and the global nature of football.

The controversy surrounding the Ballon d’Or highlights significant challenges that lie ahead for football’s governing bodies. As the sport evolves, the need for a more inclusive and representative voting system becomes increasingly urgent. Only through such reforms can we ensure that deserving players, like Vinicius Jr., receive the recognition they truly merit.

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Explore Mansour Loum’s critique of the 2023 Ballon d’Or voting, focusing on the treatment of Vinicius Jr. and the impact of activism on recognition in football. Discover insights on team dynamics and the need for a more inclusive voting process.