What Is 2016 The Best FIFA Football Awards

Overview

The 2016 The Best FIFA Football Awards marked a pivotal shift in how FIFA recognized individual excellence in global football. After ending its partnership with France Football, FIFA launched this new award system to determine the top male and female players, coaches, and other key contributors.

The inaugural ceremony took place on January 9, 2017, at the Zurich Congress Center, Switzerland. It replaced the FIFA Ballon d'Or, which had run from 2010 to 2015, and aimed to restore FIFA’s independent recognition of talent through a broader voting system.

• January 9, 2017 was the official date of the awards ceremony, hosted in Zurich, marking the first standalone FIFA event for individual honors.
• Cristiano Ronaldo won the Best Men's Player award, earning 34.5% of the total vote, largely due to his leadership in Real Madrid’s Champions League victory.
• Carli Lloyd claimed the Best Women's Player award, recognized for her leadership with the U.S. Women's National Team and her Olympic performance.
• The voting panel included national team captains, coaches, media representatives, and fans, each contributing 25% of the total weight in the final decision.
• Antonio Conte won Best Men's Coach after leading Italy to Euro 2016 and Chelsea to the Premier League title, showcasing tactical excellence.

How It Works

The Best FIFA Football Awards use a transparent, multi-source voting model to determine winners across categories, combining expert and public input.

• Eligibility Period: Performance from November 2015 to November 2016 was considered, aligning with major tournaments like Euro 2016 and Copa América.
• Voting Panel: National team captains and coaches each had 25% voting share, ensuring influence from football professionals.
• Media Voters: Accredited journalists from around the world contributed 25% of the total vote, offering a global media perspective.
• Fan Voting: Public votes via FIFA’s website made up the final 25%, increasing fan engagement and inclusivity.
• Selection Process: A shortlist of three nominees per category was announced in December 2016, based on performances during the eligibility window.
• Real-Time Announcement: Winners were revealed during the live Zurich broadcast, increasing global visibility and excitement.

Comparison at a Glance

The following table compares key aspects of the 2016 The Best FIFA Football Awards with its predecessor, the FIFA Ballon d'Or.

This transition reflected FIFA’s effort to democratize the voting process and increase transparency. By equalizing the influence of fans and professionals, the 2016 awards aimed to be more representative of global football opinion, contrasting sharply with the media-heavy Ballon d'Or model.

Why It Matters

The 2016 awards redefined how football excellence is recognized, setting a precedent for future ceremonies and restoring FIFA’s authority in individual honors.

• Increased fan engagement through public voting gave supporters a direct role in shaping award outcomes.
• Greater transparency in the voting process helped rebuild trust after years of perceived bias in the Ballon d'Or era.
• Global inclusivity was enhanced by involving voters from over 200 national federations, expanding geographic representation.
• Women's football visibility improved with a dedicated Best Player category, highlighting stars like Carli Lloyd.
• Coaching recognition through the Best Men's and Women's Coach awards emphasized strategic impact on team success.
• Post-Ballon d'Or independence allowed FIFA to control its narrative and award criteria without external partnerships.

The 2016 The Best FIFA Football Awards not only celebrated individual excellence but also signaled a new era of democratic, inclusive recognition in world football.