Ballon d’O or undergo a reshuffle with FOUR major changes in rating after Lionel Messi’s controversial Saturday win

FOOTBALL FRANCE announced FOUR major changes to the voting process for the future Ballon d’Or.

Lionel Messi took home the controversially coveted trophy for the seventh time in November.

first

The Barcelona legend and now the Paris Saint-Germain forward beat Bayern Munich’s Robert Lewandowski and Chelsea midfielder Jorginho to take the prize.

He got it after helping Barca win the Copa del Rey and Argentina to a successful Copa America.

France Football also introduced the Ballon d’Or Feminin back in 2018.

And the 2021 award went to Barcelona star Alexia Putellas.

Both awards – as well as the Kopa Trophy for best under-21 player and Yashin Trophy for best goalkeeper – were voted on for captains, coaches and journalists.

The Ballon d’Or has been held since 1956 – but now the organizers have decided to make some changes.

The changes will take effect immediately starting with the 2022 award.

And here, according to France Football, are the changes:

JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £10 FREE BONUS WITH 100 GAMES TO PLAY AND NO BETS (Applicable Ts&C)

• Change from year to season: decisions will now be based on traditional mid-season performances of August and July, rather than calendar years, which are used to combine the two half campaign.
• A change in shortlisted people: Ballon d’Or Ambassador Didier Drogba and journalists who came closer to achieving last year’s results will participate in the selection of the shortlisted candidates. In short, there will be 30 people for the main prize and 20 for the young player and goalkeeper awards.
• A change in the number of people who can vote: last year saw representatives from 170 countries participate in the process, but from now only the top 100 countries in the FIFA rankings – and Top 50 countries for women’s football – will be able to vote.
• A slight adjustment to the criteria: as this is an individual award, voters are being instructed to focus on the individual performances of the players rather than the collective achievement, with fair play and stated Good mirrors are also included in the overall weights.

It remains to be seen what the changes will mean, and we’re unlikely to see a difference until the process starts rolling into devices later this year.