It remains to be seen whether FIFA’s ‘The Best’ awards will come close to matching the prestigious Ballon d’Or.
Football’s governing body unveiled their rival awards ceremony in October following their split with France Football.
FIFA claim their prizes are the “definitive accolade” for players and coaches, and you can expect their events to match – or maybe even surpass – the glamour of the annual Ballon d’Or.
The inaugural awards will take place in Zurich on January 9. Unlike in the Ballon d’Or, the public will play a role in deciding the winner – 50 per cent of the result is a split between the outcome of an online public ballot and the votes of a select group of media representatives.
The other 50 per cent is based on the submissions of captains and head coaches of all of the world’s national teams.
There are eight categories at ‘The Best’ awards, including Women’s Player, FIFPro World11 and a new Fan Award, allowing fans to vote for their favourite moments of 2016.
However, the most-anticipated award will be the Men’s Player of 2016. Cristiano Ronaldo won his fourth Ballon d’Or title earlier in the month and he’ll have to beat out Lionel Messi again if he wants to claim FIFA’s first The Best award.
Also in the running is Atletico Madrid’s Antoine Griezmann, who had a standout year as Atleti reached the Champions League final and France got to the final of Euro 2016.
Spanish paper Mundo Deportivo revealed the winner of the Ballon d’Or six days before it was announced, and they’re back to spoil FIFA’s event by naming the player they believe will triumph on January 9.
Unsurprisingly, they claim Ronaldo has beaten Messi and Griezmann once again.
If Mundo’s report is true, it will cap what already has been a brilliant year for the Real Madrid star.
Apparently Messi received more votes for the FIFA award than he did for the Ballon d’Or. Not that that will make him any happier.
Griezmann, as he did with France Football’s prize, will reportedly come third.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino tried to hype up the new gala by highlighting its difference to the Ballon d’Or.
“This event will be about football and its most passionate participants – players, coaches and fans,” Infantino said, via the Daily Mail.
“It is a new event with new approaches to celebrating the game we all love.”