Simon Adingra, currently leading an online poll for the 2024 African Ballon d’Or, has received disappointing news. Despite the enthusiasm generated, these popular votes will not count toward the final decision on the winner.
In recent days, there has been a strong wave of support for this poll launched by Foot Africa, especially from Ivorians on social media, hoping to see their compatriot win the prestigious award.
Although Adingra is currently leading his competitors in this poll, it will take much more than an online mobilization to win the African Ballon d’Or.
The African Ballon d’Or: A Rigorous Selection Process
Awarded by the Confederation of African Football (CAF), the African Ballon d’Or follows a strict voting process, excluding any direct influence from supporters.
The jury is exclusively made up of professionals: the coaches of African national teams, their captains, and sports journalists affiliated with CAF. These experts evaluate players based on well-defined criteria, such as their individual and collective performances, their impact in both club and national teams, as well as their overall influence on the game.
Each jury member assigns descending points to five players, creating a personal ranking that contributes to the final selection of the winner.
The Limited but Influential Role of Supporters in the African Ballon d’Or
Although passionate and dedicated, supporters do not directly influence the African Ballon d’Or award process. Unlike awards like the Puskás Prize, where online votes play a key role, this trophy is exclusively decided by a professional jury composed of coaches, captains, and journalists affiliated with CAF.
However, the importance of fans should not be entirely overlooked. Their support, whether in stadiums or on social media, often helps boost a player’s visibility and can, indirectly, attract the attention of voters. This informal influence is particularly noticeable with stars like Mohamed Salah or Sadio Mané, whose massive popularity amplifies the visibility of their performances among observers.
Despite this dynamic, popular support remains a secondary factor. The objective criteria applied by the experts, such as individual and collective performances, remain the primary basis for selecting the winner.
This system ensures a fair and impartial evaluation, based on sporting merit rather than mere popularity, while still recognizing the role of supporters in enhancing the value of players.
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