The football World Cup reshaped the voting for the Ballon d'Or, with four Portuguese players among the 30 nominees for the distinction. This edition reflects a significant change in the evaluation criteria, valuing performances in high-impact international competitions.
Among the nominees is a 40-year-old goalkeeper who played for Desportivo de Chaves during his career. This inclusion stands out for breaking the usual Ballon d'Or patterns, which rarely recognize defensive position players.
The reading of the voting was profoundly altered by the influence of the World Cup, with players who stood out in the competition gaining greater relevance in the nominations. This fact demonstrates how international results have gained more significant weight in the attribution of the award.
The complete list of the 30 nominees reflects this new reality, where performance in world stadiums has become a determining factor for candidates for the most coveted award in world football.
