By: Chioma Madonna Ndukwu
FIFA President Gianni Infantino has firmly stated that only the global football governing body can determine the world’s best player. Speaking at the 2024 FIFA The Best Awards, Infantino remarked, “Only FIFA, as the top football organization, has the right to choose the best player in the world.”
He also made a subtle jab at the Ballon d’Or, emphasizing the distinction in voting systems, saying, “Because of its unique voting mechanism, FIFA should be the one to decide who deserves this honor.” The FIFA The Best Awards, along with the Ballon d’Or, remain two of the most prestigious individual accolades in the sport.
On the same evening, Real Madrid’s Vinicius Junior was named the 2024 FIFA Men’s Player of the Year, further cementing FIFA’s role in recognizing top talent.
