Awarding Excellence Or Favoritism? -By Ibrahim Adetunji Oluwafemi

Recognizing individual excellence is crucial in every profession. Awarding hard work and dedication is the best way to appreciate commitment. The Ballon d’Or award, first presented in 1956 to Stanley Matthews, has been a symbol of excellence in football. In 2007, the award became open to players worldwide, with Kaka being the first non-European winner.

The dominance of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, who shared the award for almost a decade, further increased its popularity. However, the award’s credibility has been questioned. In 2010, Diego Milito’s omission from the 23-man shortlist sparked controversy. Despite his outstanding performance, including 22 goals in Serie A and a treble with Inter Milan, Milito was overlooked.

Fans and analysts argued that Wesley Sneijder or Andres Iniesta were more deserving of the award, which ultimately went to Lionel Messi. The controversy continued in 2013 when Frank Ribery claimed he was “robbed” of the award. Ribery had a superior season with Bayern Munich, winning the treble and achieving exceptional success.

Ribery’s supporters pointed to the extended voting period as evidence of manipulation, suggesting that Cristiano Ronaldo’s victory was influenced by politics rather than merit. Key points supporting Ribery’s claim include:

– Exceptional season: Winning the treble with Bayern Munich.

– Voting controversy: The extended voting deadline, which Ribery believes was done to benefit Ronaldo.

– Political influence: Ribery stated that the decision was “political” and that undue influence was exerted to ensure Ronaldo’s victory.

Frank Ribery expressed his disappointment, saying, “It was unfair. I had an incredible season, and I should have won it. I will never attend the Ballon d’Or ceremony again.” These controversies have sparked debates among football supporters, raising questions about the value of hard work and dedication. Does hard work truly pay? The answer remains unclear.

Now, everyone opinion counts. Please feel free to read, comment, react.