The Ballon d’Or Féminin award ceremony has caused quite a stir in the world of women’s football. Aitana Bonmatí, the deserving winner of the award, found herself facing disrespect due to the unfortunate scheduling of the ceremony during a women’s international window. This meant that many of the nominees were unable to attend. It’s understandable why this would leave a sour taste in the mouths of those involved.
To add fuel to the fire, the choice of Novak Djokovic as the presenter of the award raised eyebrows. Djokovic is a talented male tennis player, no doubt, but his stance against equal pay in sports did not sit well with critics. If a male player had to present the award, it should have been someone with relevance to women’s football, someone who has shown support and respect for the sport.
This incident sheds light on the larger issue at hand: the slow progress and history of incorporating women’s football into the esteemed Ballon d’Or. We cannot forget the embarrassing moment in 2018 when Ada Hegerberg was asked to twerk during the ceremony. Such inappropriate actions only highlight the constant disregard and lack of respect towards women in the sport.
Furthermore, it’s disheartening to note the absence of additional awards for female goalkeepers, strikers, and young players. Recognizing and celebrating the achievements of these players would be a major step towards giving them the spotlight they deserve.
The fact that the ceremony was scheduled during a women’s international window in 2021 is seen as yet another indication of the ongoing disregard for women’s football. It’s clear that the Ballon d’Or has a long way to go in terms of achieving true equality and showing respect for women in the sport. This incident should serve as a wake-up call to address these issues and make much-needed changes.