THE BALLON d'OR; IN DEFENSE OF THE WORLD'S MOST PROLIFIC MAN

The ballon d'or is an award with a history dating back to 1956. In the early stages of the award only European players were eligible to claim the prestigious prize. This very erroneous system lasted for 38 good years until  Ac Milan and Liberia's George Weah became the first non European and African player to win the top prize in 1995. Till date he is the only African to have won it. Of course this event was aided and preceded by a change in format making non Europeans eligible, but regardless Weah deserves so much credit.

To put this in the right context, the world watched for 38 years as big names such as Mario Kempes, Pele, Maradona and Garrincha all had the golden ball elude their tenuous grasp even though they were arguably the best players on the planet at one point in time. In the same period the ballon d'or stamped many names in the mind of every football lover. Without South American superstars hovering around Yohan Cruyff and Michelle Platini managed to win the award three times, Levi Yeshin became the first and only goalkeeper to win it, Franz Beckenbauer won it and was popularly called Der Kaiser( The Emperor), Kelvin Keegan became the first scouse to win it for Liverpool, Paulo Rossi came from prison to win the world cup for Italy and also won the award. My point is the world would never forget these men.

After the award was cancelled in 2020, nervous anticipations arise as this year's prize is just two weeks away from being awarded. There is a long standing tradition of the winner being told at an earlier date before the award ceremony for pictures to be taken in a shoot session. However in this year's award, things seem to be different as  none of the top ruuners have apparently been informed. With the editor in chief of France football, Pascal Ferre, saying that leaks are "bullshit" it might be time for us  to look at the process that elects the possible winner.

This coveted award follows a criteria for selection before it is subjected to voting. In this requirements France football looks at the performance of individual players in a "calendar year", after which they look at trophies won with teams and finally an underrated but a very important feature; fairplay and disciplinary acts on and off the field. After France football does this, it subjects this criteria to produce a 30 man shortlist, it then selects an unbiased jury of widespread journalist to vote for what is popularly referred to as the best footballer in the world.

This year we have a fair idea of the man most likely to win the award. And it's not really surprising if he does because most people believe he had an extraordinary season. My intonation in this paragraph as I write is a bit condescending because I'm not so sold up on the Messi for seven agenda. Psychology defines the anchor bias as a cognitive effect where a person's decision is influenced by a particular reference point, " an anchor". Its this effect that makes us cling to the first piece of information we get. Most of us know or subconsciously accept that Messi is arguably the greatest player we've ever seen. This is the anchor that enforces the perception that Messi deserves the award with the slightest try. The Argentine's brand of football sells very well and why wouldn't it? His left foot is delightful to say the least. But throughout various parts of the season Messi wasn't exceptional until the international tournaments came around. This lifeline gave the Argentine a breathe of fresh air and an escape from all of Barcelona's woes. His exceptional Copa America campaign struck a memory of the magical Messi, the Ankara Messi we know. This is why people were quick to defend La Pulga when the award voting started. But I would always say that the Copa America is not enough, its the reason why the ballon d'or top 10 has eluded the last two best players in the competition. I completely side with Arsene Wenger when he says that Messi is being considered for the prize only because he is Messi, an anchor bias that sinks deep enough into the minds of even the elite.

My defense therefore starts here. The last time we saw a player score 60 goals in a calendar year was Ronaldo in 2014. GOAT things? Messi scored 91 in 2012 so you can't be too sure. However since this time period players have even struggled to get 50. With 10 games left Lewandoski has 60 goals in 2021 and already has 8 goals in this season's Champions league. Despite missing a month to an ankle injury, Lewandoski was still the most consistent performer and scored matchday after matchday to break a 49 year record befittingly after scoring 41 goals in a Bundesliga season. Bayern won 2 finals in 2021 Lewandoski scored two goals in each and was the player of the tournament in the club world cup and the German Supercup. Argue that it's easy? His closest competitor doesn't have a league goal or assist in Europe's weakest top 5 league. Nothing Lewandoski does is easy. At the time of Lewandoski's exit from the Euros  he had the most open play goals and the most shots on target for a very under manned  Poland side. So why don't people route for him?

The hypodermic needle theory. Its the reason why Madrid and Barcelona players win it. It's the reason why premiership players are more popular than La Liga players averagely. It's also the reason why COMEBOL chose both Neymar and Messi as the Copa America players of the tournament but you only hear  of Messi.  It is because in linear communication information relayed by the media are injected straight into the minds of the passive audience. Its about publicity and neither Bayern Munich or Poland offers Lewandoski that much. 

Players like Mohammed Salah also deserve their shouts. Sparing Liverpool's underwhelming season coupled with their injury situation there would be no argument preventing the Egyptian from being the forerunner. Karim Benzema also deserves his praise and he is finally being recognized. That in particular makes me happy. After he and Courtois singlehandedly made sure the Merengues got to the semi finals of last season's Champions League the Frenchman has to be in the top 3. However the Los Blancos man is currently standing trial for blackmail relating the sextape of his former teammate Mathieu Valbuena, that is certainly going to put the winds out of his sails.

I have an unbiased opinion about who should make the final 10 this year in all ferity. If I was to decide it would be Robert the Pol Lewandoski, Lionel Messi, Karim Mostafa Benzema, Mo Salah, Cristiano Ronaldo, Jorginho, Kylian Mbappe, Erling Haaland, Harry Kane and Thomas Muller.  However there is one thought I just can't shake; Lewandoski deserves the ballon d'or and I would die on that hill. Ultimately it doesn't matter though, Why? It's just one man's opinion.