who won ballon d'or 2020

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30-10-2024

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The 2020 Ballon d'Or: A Year Without a Winner

The Ballon d'Or, the prestigious award recognizing the best footballer in the world, is a highlight of the football calendar. However, 2020 was an exception. For the first time in 64 years, the Ballon d'Or was not awarded.

Why was the Ballon d'Or cancelled in 2020?

The COVID-19 pandemic heavily impacted the global football landscape. With numerous competitions disrupted and rescheduled, the organizers, France Football, decided to cancel the award. As stated by Pascal Ferré, editor-in-chief of France Football, "We cannot give a Ballon d'Or in a year when there was no consistency in terms of competition." [1]

What would the landscape have looked like if the award had been given?

While we can't definitively say who would have won, several players were in contention based on their performances in the first half of 2020.

• Robert Lewandowski, the Polish striker for Bayern Munich, was having a phenomenal season, scoring goals consistently. He won the Champions League, the Bundesliga, and the German Cup, putting him as a strong contender.
• Cristiano Ronaldo, the Portuguese legend, was having another prolific year with Juventus, contributing significantly to their Serie A title win.
• Lionel Messi, the Argentinian superstar, was also in the running, although his individual performance was less dominant than previous years.

The absence of the Ballon d'Or in 2020 sparked debate. Some argued that it was the right decision given the unusual circumstances, while others felt that it was unfair to the players who had excelled despite the challenges.

The return of the Ballon d'Or:

The award returned in 2021, with Lionel Messi claiming the coveted title. This victory was undoubtedly fueled by his performance in the previous year, which included leading Argentina to Copa America glory.

The 2020 Ballon d'Or cancellation serves as a reminder of the impact of global events on the world of sports. It also highlights the importance of consistency and fair play in determining prestigious awards.

References:

[1] "Ballon d'Or 2020: France Football cancels award due to Covid-19 pandemic" - BBC Sport

Additional Notes:

• The decision to cancel the Ballon d'Or was a controversial one, but ultimately understandable given the unprecedented situation.
• The absence of the award also provided an opportunity to reflect on the value and importance of the award itself.
• The return of the Ballon d'Or in 2021 signified a return to normalcy and a celebration of football excellence.