Understanding FIFA's Top Player Accolades
For soccer fans in the United States, understanding the various awards bestowed by FIFA, the international governing body of football, can sometimes be a little confusing. When people ask, "Who has won FIFA The Best?" they are typically referring to the prestigious The Best FIFA Men's Player award and its female counterpart, The Best FIFA Women's Player award. These awards recognize the absolute pinnacle of individual achievement in the sport over a specific period.
The Evolution of FIFA's Top Player Award
It's important to note that the current iteration of "The Best FIFA" awards is a relatively recent development. For many years, the most coveted individual award was the FIFA Ballon d'Or, a collaboration between FIFA and France Football magazine. However, that partnership ended, and FIFA launched its own standalone awards in 2016.
The Best FIFA Men's Player: A Look at the Winners
The Best FIFA Men's Player award is presented annually to the male footballer deemed to have performed the best over the preceding season. Here's a rundown of the players who have lifted this coveted trophy:
- 2016: Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid/Portugal)
- 2017: Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid/Portugal)
- 2018: Luka Modrić (Real Madrid/Croatia)
- 2019: Lionel Messi (Barcelona/Argentina)
- 2020: Robert Lewandowski (Bayern Munich/Poland)
- 2021: Robert Lewandowski (Bayern Munich/Poland)
- 2022: Lionel Messi (Paris Saint-Germain/Argentina)
As you can see, Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, two of the greatest footballers of all time, have dominated this award in its current form. Luka Modrić broke their stranglehold in 2018 with a remarkable year that saw him lead Croatia to the World Cup final and win the Champions League with Real Madrid. Robert Lewandowski also enjoyed a period of exceptional form, earning consecutive awards.
The Best FIFA Women's Player: Recognizing Excellence in the Women's Game
Mirroring the men's award, The Best FIFA Women's Player award celebrates the outstanding achievements of female footballers. The winners in this category are:
- 2016: Carli Lloyd (USA)
- 2017: Lieke Martens (Netherlands)
- 2018: Marta (Brazil)
- 2019: Megan Rapinoe (USA)
- 2020: Lucy Bronze (England)
- 2021: Alexia Putellas (Spain)
- 2022: Alexia Putellas (Spain)
The women's award has also seen a diverse range of incredible talents recognized for their brilliance on the pitch, highlighting the growing global talent pool in women's football.
How are the Winners Determined?
The voting process for The Best FIFA awards is a significant factor in their prestige. A global jury comprising national team captains, head coaches, and select media representatives from around the world casts their votes. Additionally, a portion of the vote comes from an online fan poll. This multi-faceted approach aims to reflect a broad consensus on who has been the most outstanding player.
The voting period typically covers performances from a specific season, often aligning with the European club season and major international tournaments. This ensures that players are judged on their consistent excellence throughout the year.
The Best FIFA awards are a testament to individual brilliance and a celebration of the highest level of football skill.
Other Notable FIFA Awards
While "The Best FIFA Player" awards are the most prominent, FIFA also bestows several other significant honors:
- The Best FIFA Men's Coach
- The Best FIFA Women's Coach
- FIFA FIFPRO World 11 (Men's and Women's): This is a dream team selected by players worldwide.
- FIFA Puskás Award: Awarded for the most spectacular goal of the year.
- FIFA Fair Play Award
- FIFA Fan Award
These additional awards showcase the comprehensive recognition FIFA provides for various aspects of the beautiful game, from coaching strategies to fan passion.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How often are The Best FIFA awards given out?
The Best FIFA awards are presented annually. The specific timeframe for judging performances can vary slightly year to year, but it generally encompasses the preceding football season.
Why is it called "The Best FIFA"?
The name "The Best FIFA" was chosen by FIFA to clearly signify that this award recognizes the single most outstanding player in the world for the given period. It replaced the FIFA Ballon d'Or after the partnership with France Football magazine ended.
How does the voting process work for The Best FIFA awards?
The voting is a composite system. National team captains and head coaches each have 25% of the vote. A further 25% comes from the votes of select media representatives, and the final 25% is determined by an online fan poll conducted on FIFA.com.
Have any players won The Best FIFA award multiple times?
Yes, several players have achieved this remarkable feat. For the men's award, Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi have both won it multiple times. For the women's award, Alexia Putellas has also won it in consecutive years.
