Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

The Ballon d'Or: Shimmering statuettes, simmering rivalries – but dodgier suits

The Ballon d'Or is the Oscars of the football world

Will Dean
Tuesday 08 January 2013 15:01 EST
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Fifa's Ballon d'Or bash is about as close as sport gets to the Oscars, except that Daniel Day-Lewis doesn't win something every single year.

It's also a bit daft. It does, however, give the planet's most gifted footballers the chance to emulate Robert De Niro et al by strolling down the red carpet and revelling in their achievements of the previous year. Cristiano Ronaldo even gets the annual chance to smile through gritted teeth at Lionel Messi – dressed on Monday as a miniature piano ornament – as his nemesis beats him to World Player of the Year. Again.

Where the comparison fades is that the Oscars are generally the highlight of a winning actor's year. For Messi and co, it's nothing compared to scoring in front of 90,000 fans. It does, however, allow us mere mortals to cock a snook at the suits of these footballing superheroes and Messi's polka-dot Dolce & Gabbana certainly raised a few eyebrows. Though, to this observer, it was an improvement of 2012's Hefner-velvet jacket. Other greats look similarly awkward in suits rather than shorts. Remember Zinedine Zidane in his 1998 pomp in a suit at least three sizes too big; Cristiano in one of those awful mid-noughties contrast-collar shirts. Or Pavel Nedved looking more like the Owen Wilson's non-union body double than Europe's best footballer. Nothing like a "best on the planet" gong to bring someone down to earth.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in