Three suitors for a single girlfriend. Three great footballers and a unique Ballon d’Or. This afternoon at 20:00 hours, Magazine France Football will announce at a luxurious gala in Paris who he is winner of the 65th edition of the Ballon d’Or after a very fierce campaign in which Messi, Lewandowski and Benzema have done more merits than anyone to be crowned the best player of the year 2021. Without having none of the three one overwhelming favoritism, the Polish and the Argentinian They seem to have a bit of a head start with respect to the Madrid forward, but the result of the final vote is a real unknown. For years, the bets on hitting the winner were not so even within hours of the trophy being awarded.
Have had to pass two years for what France Football raise a footballer again as the best in the world. Because of the pandemic of COVID-19, the French magazine decided orphan the award in 2020 in a decision that was more than controversial. TO Lewandowski, to whom FIFA awarded the award that same year The Best, It was the one who was least amused. A year ago no one doubted that the Bayern striker was the great deserving all individual distinctions that will be delivered after leading the Bavarian team to a historic sextet. The pandemic stole that Ballon d’Or that bore his name. He had no rival then. Now yes.
The conquest from America’s Cup with Argentina and his media signing for him PSG make of Messi a strong candidate to win his seventh Ballon d’Or. Although his first months as a player for the Parisian team have been difficult, the fact that play in france the da has Messi a little plus to win an award from a magazine you love look within its borders. That is also one of the reasons, in addition to his excellent level, why Benzema is also fully in the fight. His return to the French team, of which he was the great star in the Nations League that France won, have returned the lost title of pride to the nation. At 20:00 we will have doubts.
The system
The Golden Ball delivers it has a voting format very different from the The Best award given by FIFA. France Football makes a list of 30 finalists among the ones who 176 journalists vote from around the world to choose the final winner. Alfredo Relaño, honorary president of AS, is the Spanish journalist with the right to vote. The French magazine asks that five votes be distributed among the 30 footballers selected by its own newsroom. Journalists give 6, 4, 3, 2 and 1 point among those chosen.