The reason why Real Madrid are extremely optimistic about FIFA’s The Best awards – report | OneFootball

According to a report from AS, Real Madrid are feeling much more optimistic about FIFA’s The Best awards compared to the Ballon d’Or, as the club sees The Best as a more democratic award, offering a fairer voting system.

Unlike the Ballon d’Or, which relies on journalists from the top 100 FIFA-ranked countries, The Best involves a broader group of voters.

The voting process is divided into four equal parts, with each category—fans, national team captains, coaches, and specialist journalists—each holding 25% of the total vote.

Real Madrid’s optimism is understood

This structure is something Real Madrid feel more comfortable with, as it allows for a greater variety of perspectives, making it a more inclusive and balanced award. As for the players, Real Madrid has several candidates for the prestigious honour.

Vinicius, once again a favourite among Madrid supporters, is in the running alongside Jude Bellingham, Federico Valverde, Dani Carvajal, Toni Kroos (now retired), and Kylian Mbappe, who was with PSG until June 30.

Vinicius Jr. is in the running for FIFA The Best. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)

On the other hand, a strong competitor in this race is Rodri, who has been a standout performer.

One of the reasons Real Madrid are approaching The Best with greater optimism is the chance to redeem themselves after the snub they faced at the Ballon d’Or.

The club, particularly Vinicius, was notably absent from the prestigious event, which caused a stir worldwide.

For Real Madrid, winning The Best award could help heal the wounds left by that omission, especially after the Ballon d’Or gala turned into a source of disappointment.

While The Best doesn’t hold the same historical prestige as the Ballon d’Or, it’s still a respected recognition endorsed by FIFA. Interestingly, of the last four years, only in 2023 did the winner of The Best also claim the Ballon d’Or, with Lionel Messi securing both.

In 2022, Karim Benzema took home the Ballon d’Or, while Messi was crowned The Best. Robert Lewandowski, who never won the Ballon d’Or, twice took home The Best award in 2020 and 2021, highlighting the difference between these two prestigious accolades.

For Real Madrid, The Best represents a chance to gain recognition for their players, especially after the controversy surrounding the Ballon d’Or.