The 2024 Ballon d'Or has generated an intense debate among fans and experts, as the award was awarded to English forward HarryKane, despite the fact that other candidates, such as the young Spanish LamineYamal or the legendary LionelMessi, also had solid arguments. The jury, which seems to have prioritized Kane's career of titles at Bayern Munich, has been accused of "not daring" to recognize players who, although they have not won the World Cup or the Champions League, have left a significant mark on world football.
The context of the election is crucial. Kane, despite being a prolific scorer and having won the Golden Boot for the second time, did not participate in the World Cup or Champions League final, and his team, Bayern, is between third and fourth place in the five major European leagues. On the other hand, LamineYamal, just 16 years old, has shown exceptional talent and an ability to surprise in every match, although his international experience is still limited. Messi, although he has not won the Champions League or the World Cup in the current season, continues to be a benchmark for his performance and career, and his absence from the award has been a point of criticism.
In the female sphere, the gala has also been a source of controversy. AlexiaPutellas, with her third Ballon d'Or, has equaled AitanaGonzález in number of awards and has represented an exceptional career. Their performance this season has been outstanding, and the Barça women's team has been described as the best in the world, with a trend-setting style of play. In addition, coach LuisdelaFuente received the award for best coach of the year, a recognition that many consider deserved after LuisEnrique's victory in the third European Cup.
The main criticism is that the Ballon d'Or, despite its prestige, seems to favor players with recent titles instead of valuing individual impact and quality of play. The decision to award Kane, rather than Yamal or Messi, has led to questions about the relevance of the award today. Although Yamal still has a long way to go, his talent should not be dismissed as an argument for choosing a winner. The question that remains is whether the Ballon d'Or remains an accurate reflection of the best player in the world or whether it needs to re-evaluate its selection criteria.