In the world of soccer, the Ballon d'Or is one of the most desired awards and also one of the most controversial. Every year, the competition for this accolade sparks passionate debates.
If there is a year that marked significant controversy, it was 2010. Zinedine Zidane, former player and coach of Real Madrid, expressed what many think.
The 2010 Ballon d'Or
2010 was a complicated year for individual awards in soccer. Messi, who had just completed a spectacular season with Barcelona, was the winner of the Ballon d'Or.
His performance in LaLiga and the Champions League was brilliant, standing out as the top scorer. However, despite his success at the clubs, Argentina had no luck in the World Cup in South Africa. The Argentine team was decisively eliminated by Germany in the quarter-finals (0-4).
Meanwhile, Andrés Iniesta, one of the most talented of his generation, played a key role in Spain's victory in the World Cup. His goal in the final against the Netherlands was historic, and undoubtedly, one of the most memorable moments in soccer history. However, despite his decisive contribution, the award went to Messi, which caused disbelief among many, including Zidane.
Zidane's Opinion
Zidane, world champion with France in 1998, did not hesitate to express his opinion about the 2010 Ballon d'Or. For him, there was no doubt: "That Ballon d'Or was for Iniesta," assured the former footballer.
"I always admired his way of playing. He didn't get the Ballon d'Or, but he deserved it. He had an outstanding year, won the World Cup, and scored the decisive goal in the final," he added.
Zidane's position has resonated among many soccer fans, who consider that Iniesta was a key player not only in the World Cup but throughout his career. With his elegance on the field, his vision of the game, and his ability to decide the most important matches, Andrés left an indelible mark on world soccer.
A Historical Mistake?
The controversy over the 2010 Ballon d'Or didn't end there. Years later, "France Football," the magazine responsible for awarding the prize, acknowledged the mistake. In an editorial titled "Sorry, Andrés," the publication recognized that his absence from the Ballon d'Or was a great injustice.
"Of the great absences in the history of the Ballon d'Or, his is especially painful," wrote the magazine. Andrés Iniesta, with his unique soccer, was left out of a list of talented players who didn't reach their greatness.
Years later, France Football's recognition was an act of justice, but for many, it was already too late.