Croatia’s head coach Zlatko Dalic voiced strong disappointment with the 2022 Best FIFA Football Awards nominees, arguing that the team’s accomplishments deserved greater recognition from the sport’s global governing body. He suggested that the Croatian national side had earned a more prominent standing among the ballot results than what was reflected in the final list. Dalic’s comments came as he assessed a shortlist that appeared narrow in terms of Croatian presence beyond the standout goalkeeper and midfielder who have long been central to the nation’s success.
In a candid reflection after the nominations were announced, Dalic underscored the achievements of the Croatian program on the world stage while noting the absence of several national team players from the 14-name roster for the FIFA Men’s Player of the Year award. He highlighted the persistent impact of Luka Modric and questioned whether other Croatian stars had been given due consideration in the selection process, pointing to the broader context of Croatia’s footballing feats in recent years as justification for higher regard.
Meanwhile, the ceremony’s top prize went to Lionel Messi, who topped the votes of coaches, national team captains, journalists, and fans. Messi’s triumph followed a landmark season that culminated in Argentina’s World Cup win, reinforcing the Argentine star’s standing as a leading figure in global football. The narrative around Messi’s season framed the award’s outcome within a broader World Cup context, as Argentina celebrated the title alongside their coach, Lionel Scaloni, who was recognized as coach of the year for steering his squad to glory on the world stage.
The competition also featured Emiliano Martinez, Argentina’s goalkeeper who played a pivotal role in the World Cup run and the final, earning recognition as the best goalkeeper of the year. Martinez’s performances added to Argentina’s successful profile at the tournament and highlighted the strength of the South American side during the season in question.
There were surrounding discussions about the voting process and how individual ballots were cast. In this environment, a notable note emerged regarding a separate award cycle in which discussions about player selections and public perceptions of the voting process surfaced, linking it to ongoing conversations about fairness and transparency in football awards. These conversations reflected a broader dialogue about how national teams are evaluated and celebrated on the global stage. The focus across the season remained on performance, consistency, and the lasting impact players have at club and international levels.
As the sport continues to evolve, national teams like Croatia are reminded that recognition in major awards often intersects with expectations built from consecutive competitive endeavors. The reactions from coaches and players alike tend to emphasize pride in achievement while also advocating for a more inclusive acknowledgement of the work done by squads that consistently compete at the highest level. The ongoing discussion surrounding awards serves as a reminder that success is measured not only by trophies, but also by the perception of a nation’s football program on the world stage and the value placed on its players by a diverse group of stakeholders across the sport.
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