FIFA’s Ballon d’Or award is considered as one of the most prestigious and unbiased awards in soccer fraternity that is why everyone is waiting who will take this silverware this year. Unlike last few years, when Messi used to be the sure winner, there are many contenders this time with good chances to take the trophy, including heavyweights like Ronaldo, Iniesta, and Xavi. Its prestige lies in the way this is awarded to its winner where a voting is being held and partaken by coaches, international captains, and journalists from around the world within a specific time. This time, this award is different not only for its probables, but also for changes being done by FIFA which is not being liked by many topnotch soccer personalities and one prominent name is Barcelona president Sandro Rosell who recently condemned world governing body’s decision to extend voting time and allowing to change the votes within the deadline. According to new rules, voting can now be done by November 29, while earlier; this deadline was until November 15. Barca president is bashing these deviations citing them a step to favor Real Madrid’s Ronaldo who is also in the list along with Messi.
Interestingly, rules were changed on the same day when Ronaldo fired a brilliant hat-trick and this change can lead to many new votes in his favor giving him more likelihood to reclaim his trophy. On the other side, this could also be a step to balance recent rumors that Fifa president favors Messi over other candidates when he said last month, “One has more expenses for the hairdresser than the other. But this is the other side of football and it is good to have commanders on the field also. So I cannot say who is the best. The public will make the choice. I like both of them, but I prefer Messi.”
Rosell called it a lobby functioning round the clock to demine Messi’s dedication to soccer, he said, “If all the lobbying is ignored, the Ballon d’Or will go to Messi. First I would vote for Messi. Second would be Messi and third, Messi. Then I would vote for Xavi and Iniesta, and in sixth place, Busquets.” Adding about Messi’s recovery from injuries, he said, “He is happy and still smiling. He will return to action the same, if not better. He will, though, only return when he feels right and we are not setting a date for his return.”