The coronavirus pandemic will also impact the presentation of the Golden Ball. Lionel Messi, six-time trophy winner and title holder, will have no successor. In any case, not in 2020. The health crisis which drastically changed the end of the 2019-2020 season led France Football not to award the most prestigious of the individual trophies at the end of the year “for lack of sufficient fair conditions”, indicates the weekly. A major decision which will not fail to fuel the debates in the coming days. It is the first time since its creation in 1956 that the Ballon d’Or has not been awarded.
“We will always prefer a small sprain (to our history) to a large scar”
“A year like this cannot and should not be treated like an ordinary year. When in doubt, it is better to abstain than to persist,” said France Football. (…) Such a singular year cannot – and should not – be treated as an ordinary year. When in doubt, it is better to abstain than to persist. “FF advances” equity “but also” other values - such as exemplarity, solidarity and responsibility – than mere sporting excellence. “Finally the media French says he does not want to “affix to the charts an indelible asterisk of the style” trophy won in exceptional circumstances due to the health crisis of the Covid-19. ” We will always prefer a small sprain (to our history) to a large scar. “
Euro and Copa America postponed
Among the competitions most affected by the Covid-19, let us first recall the postponement of Euro 2020 in 2021. The Copa America has also been postponed until next year. These international competitions, which were to bring together the biggest stars and potential candidates for the Ballon d’Or, would have had an important influence on the final vote. But the main European championships with the exception of Ligue 1 and the European Cups will come to an end, even if it will be in a new format concerning the Champions League.
The 2019 Ballon d’Or awards
Women’s Ballon d’Or: Megan Rapinoe (United States)
Trophée Kopa: Matthijs de Ligt (Ajax Amsterdam / Juventus)
Yachine Trophy: Alisson Becker (Liverpool)
Ballon d’or 2019:
1er- Lionel Messi (Barcelone)
2nd Virgil Van Dijk (Liverpool)
3e- Cristiano Ronaldo (Juventus)
In exceptional circumstances, exceptional provisions. For the first time in its history, started in 1956, the #Ballondor France Football will not be awarded in 2020, for lack of sufficient fair conditions.
Our explanations on this choice: https://t.co/LgRr8GCuKD pic.twitter.com/Z1x3L3QBGV
– France Football (@francefootball) July 20, 2020
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