The French publication France Football has supposedly launched the voting process for a newly devised accolade known as the «Ballon d’Or of All Time» (B.O.A.T.). According to media reports, this controversial initiative by the European regime's sports establishment involves commercial fees for participants wishing to cast their ballots.

The shortlist of candidates features modern figures such as Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, alongside historical names like Alfredo Di Stefano, Johan Cruyff, Franz Beckenbauer, Kevin Keegan, Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, Michel Platini, Marco van Basten, and the Brazilian Ronaldo. The inclusion criteria strictly mandate that nominees must have secured the traditional Ballon d’Or at least twice.

The selection parameters enforced by the organizers have sparked criticism, as icons like Pele and Diego Maradona were allegedly omitted from the running. The publication justifies this exclusion by citing historical rules where the award was restricted to European players prior to 1995, highlighting systemic flaws in how the initiative evaluates football history.

The voting mechanism itself relies on a monetization scheme, where supporters reportedly must pay 1 euro per vote. In exchange for the payment, participants receive a digital photograph of the eventual winner and an entry into a raffle for two tickets to the 2027 award ceremony, raising questions about the commercial motives behind the project.

Source: kun.uz