FIFA Best Voting Reveals Alliances, Loyalties, and a Subtle Ronaldo Ripple
When the FIFA Best Awards results were finally laid bare, the biggest takeaway wasn’t just who won, but how openly football’s inner circle revealed their preferences. Unlike the Ballon d’Or, which often feels wrapped in mystery, these awards were shaped by a clear and public process. Coaches, national team captains, and media representatives from every federation had their say, and once the votes were published, the patterns became impossible to ignore.
Ousmane Dembélé’s victory stood out immediately. Any lingering debate about whether he truly deserved the top men’s prize was quietly settled by the numbers. He dominated the voting, collecting more first-place selections than all his rivals combined. Lionel Messi himself placed Dembélé at the top of his ballot, ahead of Kylian Mbappé and Lamine Yamal, a gesture that carried real weight. When one of the game’s greatest players publicly backs someone, it resonates across the football world. That support echoed the broader feeling that Dembélé’s Champions League final triumph had elevated him above the rest.
Also Read:- Alex Carey’s Maiden Ashes Century Lights Up Adelaide and Saves Australia
- Matthews Sparks Stunning Late Rally as Leafs Stun Blackhawks in Toronto
England’s voting habits also told a familiar story. Allegiance clearly played a role, with coaches and captains backing players they knew best. Harry Kane’s name appeared again and again, rewarded for a staggering goal haul across club and country. Cole Palmer, too, found unexpected love from far-flung corners of the football map, his recent big-game performances still fresh in voters’ minds. Similar loyalty was seen in the women’s awards, where England coach Sarina Wiegman backed players she had trusted through major tournament success.
Elsewhere, the women’s voting revealed how competitive Spain’s golden generation has become. With so many elite players to choose from, even the eventual winner found herself left out of a teammate’s top three. It was a reminder that dominance can create difficult decisions, and sometimes awkward ones, even within the same dressing room.
Mohamed Salah’s enduring popularity was another quiet headline. Despite Liverpool falling short in Europe, his consistency ensured he remained highly rated across continents. Votes came not just from teammates, but from coaches and captains around the globe, reinforcing the idea that class, once established, is rarely forgotten.
And then there was Portugal, where Cristiano Ronaldo’s influence was felt without his name appearing on the shortlist. Roberto MartÃnez’s surprising haul of votes for coach of the year followed Portugal’s Nations League success, a campaign inevitably shaped by Ronaldo’s presence and leadership. Even indirectly, his shadow still stretches across major international moments.
In the end, the FIFA Best voting wasn’t just about crowning winners. It was a revealing snapshot of football’s loyalties, friendships, and long-standing respect, showing that reputations, relationships, and legends like Ronaldo continue to shape how the game judges itself.
Read More:
0 Comments