The FIFA Best Awards, held Tuesday evening, underscored both celebrated achievements and simmering controversies within the global football landscape. Ousmane Dembélé, now of Paris Saint-Germain, secured the coveted title of Best Men’s Player, a decision that has already drawn scrutiny given his inconsistent performances and the considerable financial investment PSG made in his acquisition. The award highlights the ongoing trend of individual accolades being increasingly tied to club prestige and market value, overshadowing considerations of consistent, impactful play.
Aitana Bonmatí’s third consecutive triumph as Best Women’s Player is undeniable confirmation of her dominance, yet it implicitly acknowledges the gap in recognition between men’s and women’s football. While Bonmatí’s skill and impact are irrefutable, the relatively lower profile of the award ceremony itself and the persistent disparity in resources and media coverage, raise questions about the sustained effort required to truly elevate the women’s game.
The Puskas Award for Best Goal was shared, with Santiago Montiel’s spectacular effort for Atlético Independiente and Lizbeth Ovalle’s stunning strike for Orlando Pride both recognized. This dual recognition reflects a deliberate move, potentially aimed at broadening the geographical representation within the awards ceremony.
Sarina Wiegman’s fifth consecutive Best Women’s Coach award acknowledges the profound impact of her leadership on the English national team, despite the heartbreaking penalty shootout defeat to Spain in the Women’s World Cup final. Conversely, the Best Men’s Coach award went to Luis Enrique, now at the helm of Paris Saint-Germain, a selection that further fuels debate regarding the weighting given to Champions League success over broader competition performance. The accolade highlights the influence of high-profile club victories in shaping award choices, potentially diminishing the recognition for coaches leading national teams through challenging campaigns.
The selections for the FIFA FIFPro Women’s World 11 – featuring Hannah Hampton, Lucy Bronze and Alexia Putellas amongst others – underscore the continued dominance of European clubs, while the Men’s World 11, comprising Donnarumma, Hakimi and Bellingham, similarly reflects the concentration of talent within a select group of elite leagues. The composition of both teams inevitably sparks discussion regarding representation from less conventional footballing nations and the complex interplay of individual merit and team success in shaping recognition.