THE BEST FIFA FOOTBALL AWARDS 2018 TM
MAKING HISTORY ENGLISH EDITION
WWW.FIFA.COM/MAGAZINE
SEPTEMBER 2018
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LETTER FROM A FIFA LEGEND
Dear readers of FIFA 1904, When I was a kid, my football heroes were Maradona,
Today, youngsters look up to me in the way that I, as a
Bernd Schuster, Zico and Vicente Álvarez. Maradona
kid, admired Vicente, Maradona, Zico and Schuster.
was the pure reference in football. They called me
This comes with some responsibility. As an ambassador
“Schuster” because of my long blond hair. Zico caught
of the FIFA Foundation, I recently visited Guatemala in
my attention during the first World Cup I watched,
the tragic aftermath of a series of volcanic eruptions. It
1982 in Spain. And as far as Vicente Álvarez goes:
helped bring hope to young people traumatised by the
Vicente was the player I always strived to become.
loss of lives and their standard of living.
Vicente was closer to me than my other heroes. He
When I was playing football with the kids there, it was
was the captain of Celta Vigo. And when I made my
one of the biggest moments of my life. Football is the
professional debut, he was on the pitch. That was
only tool that can ease your pain, even in the worst
fantastic for me. Because the moment you play in the
moment of your life. I am really proud and happy to
first division for the first time, you never forget it. We
have been there.
Philipp Schmidli / FIFA via Getty Images
kept in touch throughout my whole career. Vicente still lives in Vigo.
What I can say to all children around the world is: enjoy football, football is happiness, go to the pitch
I made my debut for Celta at the Santiago Bernabéu
and have some fun. And dream big!
in Madrid, the home stadium of Real, the club I later played ten years for and with whom I won two
Yours in football,
Champions League titles.
Míchel Salgado
FIFA 1904 /
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CONTENTS
30 Technique, titles, goals: what players, coaches, journalists and fans look for when voting for The Best FIFA Football Awards. 36 Oscars and The Best: Hollywood stars have their whole careers to try and win an Oscar. Footballers, however, tend to have about 15 years in which to win a World Player award.
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COVER PICTURE
A red stage curtain sets the scene for The Best FIFA Football Awards™ 2018. 2
/ FIFA 1904
Marc Salvador/FIFA, Getty Images (3)
28 Good is not always good enough. Iniesta, Henry, Bergkamp – just three players who would have been worthy winners, but always found themselves behind someone else in the voting.
26 George Weah is the only African to have ever won a FIFA World Player award. A look back at his incredible career.
22 Marta has been nominated for the FIFA World Player accolade for the 13th time. A tribute.
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18 What tends to happen once you have scaled the heights of world football? We take a look at the careers of some former winners to find out what the future held in store for them after being named FIFA World Player of the Year.
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12 Oliver Kahn and Manuel Neuer are still the only goalkeepers to have ever featured in the top three. We spoke to the two Germans to find out what a player needs to do to make it so far.
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8 Who has made it onto the shortlists for The Best FIFA Football Awards™ 2018?
THE BEST FIFA FOOTBALL AWARDS™
FOOTBALL IN PICTURES
40 FIRST LOVE Svaneti, Georgia. 47 A CAREER IN PANINI STICKERS Ronaldinho.
34 SNAPSHOT Cristiano Ronaldo is already an icon in and around Turin.
54 THEN AND NOW From Liverpool to Istanbul.
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4 THE MONTH IN PICTURES Images from the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup 2018; Usain Bolt in training with the Central Coast Mariners.
58 PHOTO ARCHIVE The Seleção at the Maracanã (1974).
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58
56 A FIFA LEGEND’S CAREER Diego Forlán.
48 NEWS FROM FIFA MEMBER ASSOCIATIONS
61 CARTOON Mordillo.
44 FIFA NEWS AND THE FIFA/COCA-COLA MEN’S WORLD RANKING
62 INNOVATIONS The history of floodlights.
Caio Vilela/fotogloria, Getty Images (3), picture-alliance/dpa
62
43 PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE “The last few months have been overwhelming. Beautifully overwhelming.”
63 FANS Autographs still enjoy cult status.
THE WORLD OF FOOTBALL
64 PUBLICATION DETAILS/COMING UP
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FIFA 1904 /
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THE MONTH IN PICTURES
We did it! Japan are all smiles in their dressing room after winning the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup France 2018 thanks to a 3-1 win over Spain in Vannes on 24 August.
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Alex Grimm / FIFA via Getty Images FIFA 1904 /
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THE MONTH IN PICTURES
Superstar novice Usain Bolt, the world 100m and 200m record holder as well as eight-time Olympic gold medallist, takes a breather while training with the pros of Central Coast Mariners in Gosford, Australia. By his own admission, he is struggling to adapt to the quick changes of pace that are typical in football. Bolt hung up his running spikes in 2017 and has already trained with Borussia Dortmund (Germany), Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa) and Strømsgodset (Norway).
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Ashley Feder / FIFA via Getty Images FIFA 1904 /
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THE BEST FIFA FOOTBALL AWARDS
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H T N E
RUN The Best FIFA Football Awards™ will take place in London on 24 September 2018. We now know the names of the nominees, all of whom enjoyed stunning campaigns last season.
I
THE BEST FIFA MEN’S PLAYER
Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal/Real Madrid, now Juventus)
Luka Modrić (Croatia/Real Madrid)
Mohamed Salah (Egypt/Liverpool)
Dzsenifer Marozsán (Germany/Olympique Lyonnais)
Marta (Brazil/Orlando Pride)
Ada Hegerberg (Norway/Olympique Lyonnais) 8
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Getty Images (15)
THE BEST FIFA WOMEN’S PLAYER
THE BEST FIFA MEN’S COACH
Zlatko Dalić (Croatia/Croatia national team)
Didier Deschamps (France/France national team)
Zinédine Zidane (France/formerly Real Madrid)
Asako Takakura (Japan/Japan national team)
Sarina Wiegman (Netherlands/Netherlands national team)
Hugo Lloris (France/Tottenham Hotspur)
Kasper Schmeichel (Denmark/Leicester City)
THE BEST FIFA WOMEN’S COACH
Reynald Pedros (France/Olympique Lyonnais)
THE BEST FIFA GOALKEEPER
Thibaut Courtois (Belgium/Chelsea, now Real Madrid)
FIFA 1904 /
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FIFA FAN AWARD
Sebastián Carrera (Deportes Puerto Montt, Chile)
Peru fans
Japan and Senegal fans
Getty Images (14)
FIFA PUSKÁS AWARD
Gareth Bale (Real Madrid) – v. Liverpool
Denis Cheryshev (Russia) – v. Croatia
Lazaros Christodoulopoulos (AEK Athens) – v. Olympiacos
Giorgian De Arrascaeta (Cruzeiro) – v. América MG
Riley McGree (Newcastle Jets) – v. Melbourne City
Lionel Messi (Argentina) – v. Nigeria
Benjamin Pavard (France) – v. Argentina
Ricardo Quaresma (Portugal) – v. IR Iran
Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid) – v. Juventus
Mohamed Salah (Liverpool) – v. Everton FIFA 1904 /
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THE BEST FIFA FOOTBALL AWARDS
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Mike Meyer (2)
THE PURSUIT OF GREATNESS
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Manuel Neuer, one of the best goalkeepers in the world, finished third in the voting for the FIFA Ballon d’Or in 2014. FIFA 1904 called in on the German world champion in Munich. By Annette Braun in Munich
Icon German world champion Manuel Neuer inspires fans with his performances on the pitch as well as his personable nature off it.
FIFA 1904 /
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THE BEST FIFA FOOTBALL AWARDS
Sweeper-keeper extraordinaire Neuer took “playing out from the back” to a whole new level at Brazil 2014.
TM
All is calm today, a Tuesday afternoon, in
And then there is a little group of people
Grünwald, a leafy suburb of Munich. The
who have congregated by the side of the
sun is shining, the birds are singing, and
road, mainly young girls in football shirts
every now and again a car drives by. The
with their mobile phones in their hands,
road is lined with detached houses, and
ready to snap the next selfie. Grünwald is,
there is a little supermarket and even an
after all, home to the Bayern Munich
indoor swimming pool, which probably
training ground, a huge complex with
isn’t doing a roaring trade today in these
offices, pitches and a club shop.
sweltering temperatures. The levels of excitement rise when the first car makes its way out of the garage. Behind the wheel is Joshua Kimmich, who is happy to lean out of the window to sign autographs and pose for selfie after selfie. He is quickly followed by a waving Thomas Müller and then by Robert Lewandowski, who thanks the fans for their impromptu rendition of “Happy Birthday”. One player who is conspicuous by his absence from the procession leaving the garage is a certain Manuel Neuer, the captain of both Bayern and Germany. He’s missing for a good reason though – he’s due to sit down with FIFA 1904 for an interview. Sure enough, he appears straight from the shower, casually dressed in a summery white shirt. “Busy day, today!” he says with a smile. A few interviews, a photoshoot – none of this is new territory for him – but he’s known for finding time for the media and he’s certainly at ease. Just as he is on the pitch, where he’s known for his composure, even when the pressure is on.
NEUER THE SWEEPER-KEEPER Images of Neuer in action come racing into my mind. Germany v. Algeria in the round of 16 at Brazil 2014, for example, when the eventual champions suddenly found themselves up against it and needed an excellent Neuer to act as a “sweeper-keeper” to repel wave after wave of attacks by claimed their place in the last eight. “Goalkeeping has changed a lot in recent years. The standard is now extremely high, and 14
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Stefan Leitner
the North Africans before Die Mannschaft
part and parcel of the modern, attacking
but it’s also about getting through the
judging by the number of shirts with
game,” says Neuer, who, of course, is far
rocky patches. Neuer missed most of the
Neuer’s name and number on the back.
too modest to ever say that he helped to
2017/18 season through injury, and battled
He’s a role model and, as captain, an icon,
shape modern goalkeeping with such
back to fitness just in time for the World
something that Neuer is well aware of.
performances.
Cup in Russia. The entire season was a
“Whether you are the best or not, as a
challenge for him mentally too because if
goalkeeper you have to be a leader. You
Fans, team-mates and journalists, however,
you are one of the best goalkeepers in the
have to talk a lot, give instructions, organ-
have all been effusive in their praise for a
world, you want to be out on the pitch to
ise your defence as well as your team’s
man who has been named the “World’s
prove it. He’s put it behind him now
build-up play. That means that you are
Best Goalkeeper” by the International
though, and there is nobody happier to be
automatically the voice of your team,” he
Federation of Football History & Statistics
back out on the pitch doing what he does
says. “Because of how loud I shout and
(IFFHS) on four separate occasions. In
best.
because of my presence, I can reach six
2014, Neuer’s stand-out performances saw him finish third in the voting for the FIFA Ballon d’Or. Oliver Kahn is the only other goalkeeper to have ever made the top three. “Match highlights mostly focus on goals, after all, that is what fans really want to see. Goals. That means that attackers tend to be in the spotlight more, and that is why they are always up for individual awards. It was a special moment for me when I was named in the top three.
players in our team – the four defenders
“TALENT, DESIRE, HARD WORK, THE CORRECT LIFESTYLE, CHASING YOUR GOALS WITH PROFESSIONALISM – YOU NEED IT ALL TO BE THE BEST.”
I felt very honoured,” he says.
and the two central midfielders. It’s harder to reach the rest of the team because it’s so loud in the stadium, but that is where body language comes into play. Then it’s all about signals, a language that every footballer understands.” Although he’s loud on the pitch, off it he is calmness personified, a man at ease with himself and with his desire to put even more trophies in his cabinet. “After last season and the World Cup, we have a lot
At the same time, Neuer stresses that
“YOU START EVERY SEASON FROM SCRATCH”
while he was proud to have finished in the
Neuer has never had a problem with
says, ever determined to be the best
top three, the team will always come first
motivation, even though he has already
goalkeeper he possibly can be. And with
for him: “Football is a team sport. Working
won so much in his career. “I set myself
that, the interview is over. He stands up,
together towards something, chasing and
goals for every training session. If, at the
shakes my hand and duly sets off for his
ultimately winning a title together, that is a
start of the season, there are 21 points up
next appointment on today’s to-do list,
sensational feeling.”
for grabs in a fitness test, I want to get
greeting the photographers with yet
those 21 points. If I struggle in a sprint test,
another warm smile and a cheery “Hi, how
As a young boy, Neuer dreamt of being
I want to take the test again in two weeks’
are you all today?”
one of the best players in the world, of
time – and get a better result,” he says.
to make up for – with both teams,” he
making it through the Schalke 04 academy with his team-mates, step by step with all
It’s fair to say that Neuer is a perfectionist.
of the highs and lows that would inevitably
“As soon as you stop improving, you
come their way. To actually then make it to
automatically go backwards. You start
the top and see off all comers, says Neuer,
every season from scratch, so you have to
required a lot of character. “Talent, desire,
work hard and do everything again. That
hard work, the correct lifestyle, chasing
desire, that motivation – you have to find it
your goals with professionalism – you need
within you. I am happy to say that the fire
it all to be the best. You have to find your
still burns within me,” he says.
own path and make sure you stay on it.” It’s also fair to say that his fans – like those Part of it is not losing your focus after
waiting patiently outside for an autograph
winning a treble or lifting the World Cup,
or a selfie – appreciate that attitude, FIFA 1904 /
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THE BEST FIFA FOOTBALL AWARDS
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“I ALWAYS NEEDED CHALLENGES” Apart from Manuel Neuer, the only other goalkeeper to have finished among the top three in a FIFA World Player vote is Oliver Kahn, the former Germany captain and now a TV pundit and successful businessman. Kahn sat down with FIFA 1904 to talk about pressure, and about who he thinks will win this year’s The Best FIFA Men’s Player award. Oliver Kahn spoke to Annette Braun.
Oliver, what does a goalkeeper need to be the best in the world? He has to be able to help his team with saves and reactions at crucial mo ments. For me, that is still the main job of a goalkeeper, and it is something that has been neglected in recent years. More and more focus has been placed on the keeper’s technical quality. How good is he with the ball at his feet? How does he get involved in the game? That’s important, but it’s not more important than his main task – to stop the ball going in the net.
games with a determination to show just why I was “the world’s best goalkeeper”. So you never saw that as something that held you back? As a sportsman, you are always fighting a battle with yourself. Of course, there were always times when I would rather have hidden or not even gone out onto the pitch. It was at times like those that the tag of “the world’s best goalkeeper” could weigh heavily.
hero or you may be the fall guy. You have to get over your mistakes quickly and see defeats as a chance to learn, to get stronger. Turning all of that tension into positive energy is part of the art of goalkeeping.
What is more difficult – to become the best, or to stay the best? To become the best in the world, you need to make a lot of sacrifices. I didn’t mind. I saw it as motivation as well as a challenge. It’s much harder to stay at the top though, because people start to expect more of you, and you expect more of yourself too. All of a sudden, you can no longer be happy with just an average performance.
When, for example? The Champions League final in 1999, when we lost the game in injury time, was extremely hard for me. I had to go away and process it all because it was the first time I had ever experienced such a brutal defeat. It was hard for me to start from the beginning again. And the 2006 World Cup, when Jens Lehmann was pushing me hard to be number one, also springs to mind because every little thing I did was scrutinised.
You finished second in the vote for the FIFA World Player of the Year award in 2002. What did that award mean to you? At the time, it didn’t really register with me because profes sional football is relentless and doesn’t give you time to think. It was only after my career that I was able to sit down and reflect on what I had achieved. For me personally, it was something incredible to be named as the best player at a World Cup and, as a goalkeeper, it’s virtually unheard of to finish second in a vote for the World Player of the Year. For a Bayern player, it’s normally a disaster if you finish second, but I really was happy with that second place (laughs).
The IFFHS named you the “World’s Best Goalkeeper” three times. Was that good or bad for you? It was good for me. In my career, I always needed challenges to keep my motiv ation levels as high as possible. I used to go into
Coming through times like those – is that what makes the difference between a very good goalkeeper and the best? As a goalkeep er, it is important that you take responsibility, that you live with the fact that you may be the
Who, in your eyes, is the best goalkeeper in the world at the moment? Keylor Navas played a major role in Real Madrid’s Champions League victory, but this year a lot of the spotlight was on the World Cup. Thibaut Courtois was very
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A titan in goal No striker ever enjoyed facing Oliver Kahn. Today, Kahn is a successful businessman and TV pundit.
VI Images via Getty Images
consistent, and Hugo Lloris lifted the trophy and also played well. It is Kasper Schmeichel’s performances that I remember most though. He saved a last-minute penalty against Croatia and then saved another two spot kicks in the shoot-out. That was what you might call a typical goalkeeper’s game! And the best player? Cristiano Ronaldo was, once again, sensational in the Champions League. Messi didn’t win the major titles last season. He didn’t really play well at the World Cup either, and he wasn’t able to leave his mark on the tournament. The Croats were the surprise packages. Luka Modrić won the Champions League last season, and he had an incredible World Cup too. For me, he must be the favourite this year.
When you were playing, you always pushed yourself to be the best. How difficult was it for you to slot back into “normal” life? That’s the biggest challenge for any professional athlete. It’s almost like you are sat in a room with the lights on, and then someone comes along and switches them off. All of a sudden, it’s extremely dark. The moment you lose the very thing that has shaped your entire life leaves you feeling empty, but I was able to find a new path relatively quickly. I went back to studying and, today, I would describe myself as a football entrepreneur.
the time. For me, it’s important to work with people, to build a team that is motivated, and to work with that team towards our goals. I enjoy being a mentor. It spurs me on and gives me energy.
Do you still push yourself to be the best? Today, it’s about being successful in business and delivering a first-class product. It’s no longer about being the best at something all FIFA 1904 /
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THE BEST FIFA FOOTBALL AWARDS™
AFTER THE AWARD Once you’ve won a FIFA World Player of the Year award, it can never be taken away from you. But does the award actually go on to have a major effect on a player’s career? By Perikles Monioudis
The FIFA World Player of the Year, the highest individual accolade the game has to offer, has been around since 1991. To stand a chance of winning it, you have to have been one thing – better than the rest in any given year. That’s an achievement in itself, of course, so it begs the question – what happens once a player has received the award? Do winners tend to reach even greater heights in the next season? The award itself has had many guises – FIFA World Player of the Year (1991-2009), FIFA Ballon d’Or (2010-2015), and The Best since 2016 – but what did the winners go on to achieve? It’s not an easy question to answer as a player’s career can take any number of directions – anyone can be struck down by injury, anyone can see Lady Luck smile on someone else in a crucial moment in a big competition, and anyone can flop after making a move to a new club. Lothar Matthäus A midfield maestro at work (Inter Milan, August 1991). 18
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Brazil’s Ronaldo won the FIFA World Player of the Year award three times in six years – 1996, 1997 and 2002. After starting his career with Cruzeiro, he crossed the Atlantic as a teenager in 1994 to join PSV Eindhoven, where he would stay for two years before joining FC Barcelona in 1996 and then Inter Milan just 12 months later. After a five-year spell at the San Siro, he switched to Real Madrid, where he also spent five years (2002-2007) before joining Inter’s city rivals AC Milan for 12 months ahead of seeing his career out back home at Corinthians (2009-2011). In other words: whenever Ronaldo was named the best player in the world, he was either on the cusp of joining a new club or had just completed a transfer.
Ronaldo Pace, power and elegance (Brazilian Olympic team, July 1996).
When he was named FIFA World Player of the Year 1997, for example, he had already joined Inter Milan, a club that had designs on the Serie A title. In the end, Ronaldo
Bongarts/Getty Images, Bob Thomas/Getty Images
did not fire them to the title, but his second season with the Milan giants was a rather unforgettable one – for all the
FIFA World Player of the Year award in
wrong reasons as he endured an injury-rid-
1991, he was already an Inter Milan
den campaign and only played in 19
stalwart, having joined the club in 1988.
matches. It was to get worse though as in
In 1990, he led West Germany to World
November 1999, he ruptured a tendon in
Cup glory in Italy, a country he was al-
his right knee and missed four months of
ready rather familiar with. That achieve-
the season, only to injure his knee again
ment was rewarded with the first FIFA
just seven minutes into his comeback.
World Player of the Year title a year later,
Ronaldo feared for his career, and ultim
but his time at the Nerazzurri was drawing
ately missed 17 months of action, but he
to a close, with Juventus making a big
bounced back in some style. In 2002, he
play for his services. A move was on the
secured a move to Real Madrid on the
cards – until Matthäus suffered a cruciate
back of his exploits at the World Cup in
ligament injury in April 1992 that is. A few
Korea/Japan, where he finished as top
months later, the German maestro did
goalscorer (eight goals, including both
make a move – but back to Bayern
goals in Brazil’s 2-0 win over Germany in
Munich, a club he had graced from 1984
the final) and led the Seleçao to their fifth
to 1988, where he promptly scored the
World Cup title. And, sure enough, FIFA
goal of the season. After hanging up his
named him World Player of the Year 2002
boots in 2000, Matthäus moved into
too.
MATTHÄUS TAKES FIRST AWARD When Lothar Matthäus won the inaugural
management at both international level with Bulgaria and Hungary, and at club level in Vienna, Salzburg and Belgrade, to name but three of his stops.
FIFA 1904 /
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Lionel Messi Imagination and creativity rolled into one (Argentinian national team, June 2012).
Zinédine Zidane Technical perfection (French national team, July 1998).
Ronaldinho Solo runs and goals that will live long in the memory (Brazilian national team, June 2005).
imago/Pressefoto Baumann, imago/Contrast, imago/Photogamma, imago/Xinhua
ZIDANE THE MAN
Cristiano Ronaldo No prizes for guessing who’s taking this free kick (Portuguese national team, June 2010).
RONALDO, MESSI, RONALDO, MESSI...
Injuries, move after move, incredible highs
Another award winner, Ronaldinho (2004
Matthäus may have been the first to be
and lows – that was Ronaldo’s career in a
and 2005), had a rather more turbulent
named FIFA World Player of the Year, but
nutshell. Another World Player of the Year
career. After his first big move, from
the only players to have won it more than
winner, Zinédine Zidane, certainly experi-
Grêmio to Paris Saint-Germain (2001-
once are Ronaldo, Zidane and Ronaldinho
enced his fair share of highs in a career
2003), he also graced the shirts of FC
... as well as two superstars who have
with “only” four clubs: AS Cannes (1988-
Barcelona (2003-2008) and AC Milan
dominated the award for the past decade
1992), Bordeaux (1992-1996), Juventus
(2008-2010) before taking his talents back
– a certain Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel
(1996-2001) and finally Real Madrid
to various clubs in Brazil and to Querétaro
Messi. The Portuguese claimed the trophy
(2001-2006), a club he recently coached
in Mexico (2014-2015). His two FIFA
in 2008, 2013, 2014, 2016 and 2017, and
to impressive success too (2016-2018).
World Player of the Year awards, however,
the Argentinian in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012
for 2004 and 2005, came during his time
and 2015 – both men currently have five
It was his performances at the 1998 World
at Barça when he was at the peak of his
titles to their name. The only other player
Cup and at EURO 2000 that saw him
powers. His subsequent spell at AC Milan
to have matched them is Brazil’s Marta,
crowned FIFA World Player of the Year
did not quite hit the same lofty heights,
who has also won the FIFA Women’s
1998 and 2000, however, with his third
and he called time on his European adven-
World Player of the Year title five times –
award in 2003 coming during his time at
tures after just two seasons at the San
in 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010.
Real. His was a career of consistently
Siro.
outstanding performances, trophies and
Will “CR7” or Messi one day add a sixth
stunning goals, not least his unforgettable
title to their collection before they hang
strike in the 2002 Champions League final
their boots up? Only time will tell. And we
against Bayer Leverkusen.
all hope that they will still be gracing our game for a long time to come yet. FIFA 1904 /
21
Buda Mendes / Getty Images
RELIABLY
THE BEST FIFA FOOTBALL AWARDS™
Gooooal! An elated Marta after converting her penalty in the shoot-out against Sweden at the Maracanã in Rio at the Women’s Olympic Football Tournament 2016 (3-4; 16 August 2016). 22
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BRILLIANT The mere mention of Marta strikes fear into the hearts of defenders everywhere, yet seldom has such a unique, world-conquering talent worked so hard for the team. Now the Brazilian superstar has been nominated for the FIFA World Player accolade for the 13th time. By Perikles Monioudis
for the woman born Marta Vieira da Silva,
good use for the benefit of the team. She
to bring bad luck, but the opposite is true
who would go on to win the most covet
can mix up her game, dropping back into
in Marta’s case, as the highly gifted FIFA
ed award in women’s football five times in
midfield to act as playmaker, switching to
Legend is in the running for this year’s The
a row from 2006 to 2010. This feat alone
the flank, or playing as the lone striker if
Best FIFA Women’s Player award – the 13th
cemented her reputation as arguably the
need be.
time she has been nominated. That is an
greatest ever women’s player, and she
extraordinary achievement and one that is
didn’t do badly over the next few years
Her breathtaking dribbling skills and shoot
a tribute not only to her performances,
either, finishing second in 2011, 2012 and
ing prowess have not deserted her, either.
but also to the consistency that has en
2014 and third in 2013.
Seldom has such a unique, world conquering -
-
The number 13 is traditionally considered
talent worked so hard for the team, which
abled her to stay at the top for so long. Now she has been shortlisted for the 13th
is what makes Marta not only a fantastic
turning out for Orlando Pride in the NWSL,
time, and justifiably so, if her 13 goals (an
player, but also a true legend. Her 15 goals
the USA’s top professional women’s
apt figure) for Orlando last season are
scored at World Cups remains a record
football league, was first nominated for
anything to go by, which helped her team
– yet another statistic in a glittering career.
the award way back in 2004, when she
to qualify for the NWSL play offs and
finished third. One year later, she came
earned her a place in the team of the year,
STILL ON TOP
second, and in 2006, she was finally
the NWSL Best XI, to boot.
Marta has been a UN goodwill ambassador
-
The striker, who since April 2017 has been
since 2010 and has dual Brazilian and
named FIFA Women’s World Player of the Year – at the tender age of 20. The only
Marta’s performances for Brazil matched
Swedish citizenship. There is just one thing
male player to have won the award at the
her club form, skippering As Canarinhas to
missing from her trophy cabinet, however:
same age was her fellow countryman
victory in the 2018 Copa América Femenina
she has never won the Women’s World
Ronaldo in 1996.
– with seven wins out of seven.
Cup. The closest she came to it was in
TROPHIES AND TITLES GALORE
THE TEAM COMES FIRST
as runners up, losing 2 0 to Germany in
But Marta was not content to rest on her
Marta is second to none when it comes to
the final. Winning the Golden Ball for best
laurels – in fact, this was only the beginning
reading the game, a talent she puts to
player and Golden Boot for top scorer
-
-
China in 2007, when Brazil “only” finished
FIFA 1904 /
23
FIFA PARTNER
(with seven goals) must have been some kind of compensation, though. Marta never comes away emptyhanded, you could say – but to win the top player award at the age of 32 would be highly impressive. Will it be 13th time
Valeriano Di Domenico / FIFA via Getty Images
lucky?
Fans’ favourite At last year’s The Best FIFA Football Awards™, Marta posed for countless selfies. FIFA 1904 /
25
THE BEST FIFA FOOTBALL AWARDS™
Knight Grand Commander Liberia President George Weah bestows the country’s highest honour on his former coach Arsène Wenger.
A FORCE OF NATURE 26
/ FIFA 1904
Only one African has ever been named FIFA World Player of the Year: the extraordinary George Weah of Liberia. By Alan Schweingruber
Whenever George Weah set off on one of
broken my bones for him, just to win a
his sprints, there were very few opponents
game.” Weah went from strength to
who could live with him. Lightning fast
strength and was soon one of the biggest
and blessed with incredible close control,
stars in Europe. After leaving Monaco, he
Weah often got his shot away before his
won a French league title with Paris
opponent had even sorted his feet out.
Saint-German, two Italian league titles
His skill and the power with which he
with AC Milan, and the FA Cup with
broke through opposition defences,
Chelsea.
almost at will, made him the complete all-round striker in the mid-1990s, so
Weah even gave his World Player of the
much so that he was named FIFA World
Year award to Wenger the evening he
Player of the Year in 1995, and later
won it, saying that he deserved it for all
Africa’s Player of the Century.
he had done for his protégé. Weah and
Ahmed Jallanzo / Keystone/EPA
Wenger remain extremely close to this All that after a rather stuttering start to
day, and Weah, who opened a new
his career in Europe. Weah arrived at AS
chapter in his incredible life story last year
Monaco from Tonnerre Yaoundé at the
when he was elected President of Liberia,
age of 22 for the far-from-princely sum of
recently bestowed the Knight Grand
around EUR 50,000 as nobody in the
Commander of the Humane Order of
principality was sure that their new boy
African Redemption – the highest award
would go on to make it. At the time, he
in Liberia – upon his former mentor.
was a little overweight and rather wooden in his movements, and he hardly spoke
With Egypt and Liverpool star Mohamed
any French to boot. But one thing he did
Salah on the three-man shortlist for this
have was a mentor, Arsène Wenger, who
year’s The Best FIFA Men’s Player award,
believed in him, someone who recognised
could the 23-year wait for an African
his talent and desire. Slowly but surely,
World Player of the Year finally be coming
the extra hours that Weah put in at the
to an end? Apart from Weah (winner in
training ground began to pay off.
1995, runner-up in 1996) and now Salah,
“I played for Wenger. It was my way of
only one other African has ever made it to
repaying him,” said Weah in an interview
the final three: Cameroon’s Samuel Eto’o
with FIFA.com years later. “I would have
in 2005. FIFA 1904 /
27
THE BEST FIFA FOOTBALL AWARDS™
THE BEST OF THE REST
On the shoulders of giants: over the years, a number of outstanding candidates for FIFA’s top player of the year award, despite their exceptional performances, have had to settle for third place. By Alan Schweingruber
Of course, no professional player can choose in which era he is born and then in which decade he will play. And biological ageing also does not leave much room for deciding on when a career ends or begins. Unless your name is Gianluigi Buffon and world-renowned club (Juventus) to an
at the age of 40 you move from one other (Paris Saint-Germain).
AND THERE MIGHT HAVE BEEN SOME THINGS TO SAY, SOME THINGS TO ANALYSE AND SOME QUESTIONS TO ASK ABOUT THE RECENT PAST AND WHAT THEY HAVE ACHIEVED: WHAT COULD THEY HAVE DONE DIFFERENTLY?
Women’s Player. However, certain women did dominate the game in the noughties: Between 2003 and 2010, the top spot went either to the German Birgit Prinz (who won three titles) or the Brazilian record holder Marta (who won five). Will the ten-year duopoly in men’s football also end soon? Next year, Messi turns 32 and Ronaldo 34. But even if the firewall
Ordinary mortals retire sometime after the
were to disappear temporarily, no one
age of 30. And there might have been
(1980) – it’s almost unbelievable: they are
some things to say, some things to analyse
all exceptional talents who have come
and some questions to ask about the
third.
would be quick to write them off.
recent past and what they have achieved: what could they have done differently?
This is not the first time that two players
What could they have done better? Or, if
have dominated the game over a long
the competition had been different,
period of time. From 1996 to 2003, out-
would they have become world footballer
standing players, such as Thierry Henry and
of the year?
Dennis Bergkamp, were in their prime. They were all competing for the first-place
SO CLOSE, AGAIN AND AGAIN
trophy and in the end none of them could
Messi (born in 1987) and Ronaldo (born
beat the top two players at the time: six of
in 1985) have been battling it out for the
the eight awards went to Ronaldo (1996,
top spot for ten years now. It’s as if
1997 and 2002) and Zinédine Zidane
someone has installed a firewall in FIFA’s
(1998, 2000 and 2003).
other player, barring Iniesta (who came
MORE SUSPENSE IN WOMEN’S FOOTBALL
second in 2010), has been able to chal-
In women’s football, however, the winners
lenge Messi and Ronaldo for the top two
have varied over the past eight years. At
spots. Neymar (born in 1992), Griezmann
the last awards, Lieke Martens was the first
(1991), Neuer (1986), Ribéry (1983), Xavi
Dutch woman to be crowned The Best FIFA
28
/ FIFA 1904
AFP
ranking system for FIFA’s top player: no
Brothers in arms For Arsenal duo Dennis Bergkamp and Thierry Henry, the FIFA World Player title always remained tantalisingly just out of reach.
Getty Images / David Ramos
THE BEST FIFA FOOTBALL AWARDS™
Andrés Iniesta Even one of the best midfielders of recent years was unable to break the Ronaldo-Messi stranglehold. 30
/ FIFA 1904
IT’S ALL ABOUT THE MAGIC
A thousand useful passes are not enough. To be named The Best FIFA Player, everything you do on the pitch needs to look magical too. An attempt to explain voters’ perceptions. By Alan Schweingruber
and over that list and eventually analyse it,
every vote and every award, and feel an
our brains will spit out two or three names
injustice. At the end of the day, it was
– what you could call a personal shortlist.
human beings who voted – and every
At that point, it’s about ordering and
feeling and bout of enthusiasm is sub
ranking those names. What images do you
jective. But what drives us to the decisions
see? A jubilant Antoine Griezmann in
we make? What influences us to vote as
Russia? A goal by Harry Kane or Luca
we do? Are we honest with ourselves, or
Modrić? What about Cristiano Ronaldo?
do we merely judge what we’ve seen in
Then there was the Champions League
TV highlights from far flung countries?
final. It feels like an age ago.
-
In your head at least, you can dispute
The truth probably lies somewhere be tween the two, yet in football one thing is
Footballers have a year in which to make
for sure: fans, coaches, players and jour
their mark. That’s plenty of time for heaps
nalists all love moments of brilliance.
of moments of brilliance. Or so you might
These are the moments that trigger
think. Yet, if you break it all down to the
feelings of happiness, and when all is said
time a player has on the ball over 90
and done we all like to remember those.
minutes, there’s not that much time after all. For a striker, you’re looking at a total of 80 100 seconds per match. So they
And for a long time too. Because what
have to produce the extraordinary in a lot
ultimately stays with us out of the floods
of mini windows of time. If not today,
of images and impressions is critical. At the
then in the next game. Or the one after
end of a long year of football, by and large
that. But definitely soon, and ideally over
we’ve cobbled together our own list of
and over again so that their skills don’t get
favourites in our heads, and if we go over
forgotten. It’s like a parking meter that
-
-
100 SECONDS
FIFA 1904 /
31
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you just have to keep feeding coins into. If the money runs out at the wrong time, you’ve had it.
INIESTA: SO CLOSE BUT YET SO FAR For midfielders, the time on the ball is around two-and-a-half minutes per game. Naturally, that begs the question of whether it is quite simply easier to grab the limelight in this position. However, the demands on midfielders are different. They have to think of their team-mates, not just putting the ball in the back of the net. They need a lot of precise passes, including surprising and crucial ones. And even then their chances of being “The Best” are limited. This is clearly illustrated by the example of Andrés Iniesta. Winning 131 caps during the peak of Spanish tiki-taka, Iniesta surpassed virtually every record, won the European Championship twice as well as the FIFA World Cup, and helped Barcelona bag a cabinetbulging haul of trophies. Yet the duel of the giants, Messi v. Ronaldo, was always going on at the same time. Iniesta finished second (2010) and third (2012) in the voting. Technique, goals and trophies: if you can bring all of this together and also have a couple of recent moments of brilliance in your repertoire, you will be in with a chance of being named the world’s best footballer. Now, as for whether or not that’s all
Alexander Hassenstein / Getty Images
very unfair… what we can say is that the candidates on the voters’ shortlists of favourites are mostly very alike. They’re just not in the same order.
Top of the world Unforgettable: France’s Antoine Griezmann and Kylian Mbappé celebrate another goal. FIFA 1904 /
33
SNAPSHOT
Beacon of hope Cristiano Ronaldo’s move from Real Madrid to Juventus has been greeted with jubilation and expectations of Champions League success by fans of his new club in and around Turin, where the Portuguese has already achieved iconic status.
34
/ FIFA 1904
Alessandro di Marco/Keystone/EPA FIFA 1904 /
35
THE BEST FIFA FOOTBALL AWARDS
A SHORT
DRAMA 36
/ FIFA 1904
TM
Movie stars have their whole lives in which to win a trophy. Footballers, on the other hand, only have a few years. Yet winning in Hollywood is no easier. By Alan Schweingruber
Just how good Hollywood stars are at waiting probably has a lot to do with the fact that, though there are an extraor dinary number of breaks in between individual takes, actors still can’t get away because they’re needed again in the next scene. Most of the time that leaves them just going through the script one more time, or taking the opportunity to watch friends filming on the shoot. Ordering a pizza delivery is another option. Actress and talk show host Ellen DeGeneres did exactly that on Oscars night in 2014, when she and a colleague became hungry after many hours spent waiting around. The glamorous Los Angeles event always goes on for hours, and even professional loiter ers can’t manage the whole thing on an empty stomach. Meryl Streep and Brad Pitt were certainly happy to dig in. Perhaps this should be taken as an inspir -
ation to order a giant wood fired oven for the Royal Festival Hall in London ahead of The Best FIFA Football Awards™, to be used to provide the whole who’s who of world football with baked Italian food. After a World Cup from which Italy was unusually absent, that would be a lovely
Kevin Winter / Getty Images
symbolic act of reconciliation. Yet you
2014 Oscars Some Hollywood stars have to wait decades before they win the coveted Best Actor or Actress award. Let’s hope this hastily ordered pizza wasn’t quite so long in arriving.
couldn’t even do it for a joke for the 24 September event, as the whole show only lasts a little over an hour, which is not long for anybody to be waiting around. This is symptomatic of the world of football, where everything moves a bit quicker and there is no time for hanging around. FIFA 1904 /
37
THE BEST FIFA FOOTBALL AWARDS
TM
A LAST-HURRAH OSCAR AT 76
A VOTE FOR THE ARTISTS
The fantastically talented Al Pacino, one of
Ironically, artists in football have an easier
the stars of the masterful first Godfather
time winning the title of best in the world
film back in 1972, had to wait 24 years
(see article on page 30). It goes without
before claiming his first (and so far only)
saying that that is not always fair, given
Oscar. It came in 1992 for his leading role
that preventing a goal or nullifying your
in Scent of a Woman (which was probably
opponents are just as valuable to a team.
not even his best performance). Pacino is
This phenomenon of preference is at least
still making films, and maybe he will soon
understandable: the voters (made up of
be awarded an Honorary Academy Award
journalists, fans, coaches and players,
for his life’s work, as happened to the
each with a 25% share) give their votes to
Canadian Donald Sutherland last March.
those footballers who do interesting
You are an actor for your whole life.
things on the pitch and whose match-
Henry Fonda won a Best Actor Oscar at
winning displays secure points for their
76 years old… before passing away later
team at the same time. A lob, a volley, a
the same year.
mazy dribble – these are the keys to people’s hearts! Maybe the stars of the silver screen do have it somewhat harder in this regard. In acting, there are no goals or points, just the harsh descriptors “good” or “bad”. As an example, Hollywood’s underappreci
YOU ARE AN ACTOR FOR YOUR WHOLE LIFE. HENRY FONDA WON A BEST ACTOR OSCAR AT 76 YEARS OLD… BEFORE PASSING AWAY LATER THE SAME YEAR.
ation of the performances of Tom Cruise – king of the blockbuster – has not always been easy to understand. In the 1990s, he was brilliant in a couple of roles in Jerry Maguire and Magnolia. Yet Cruise has
Kylian Mbappé, already a World Cup
been waiting in vain for an Oscar since his
winner at 19 years of age, can also be-
first role back in 1981.
come a great. As his father recently revealed in an interview, Mbappé also
Waiting and hoping are inextricably
pursues that goal through a kind of film
linked. No language does a nicer job of
study – but it’s four or five games of
making this clear than Spanish, where the
football in a row that he may sometimes
same word – esperar – is used for both.
watch, not old Fonda films. At the end of
Hoping for your next goal. Or your next
the day, the young Frenchman does not
trophy. Or maybe just a pizza.
have his whole life to pursue a successful career as a footballer, but just ten to 15 years. And if everything goes to plan, maybe when he’s 30 or so Mbappé will be able to look back on a few awards as the world’s best footballer. On the other hand, there has only ever been one winner of the Best Actor Oscar under the age of 30 – Adrien Brody, then 29, for his role in The Pianist.
38
/ FIFA 1904
Terry O’Neill / Iconic Images / Getty Images, Ralph Crane / The LIFE Picture Collection / Getty, AFP Images
Pure relief Al Pacino (top right) was 24 years into his film career before he won an Oscar. For Elizabeth Taylor (below right) it was 19, while Faye Dunaway had to wait a mere nine years.
FIFA 1904 /
39
FIRST LOVE PLACE Svaneti, Georgia DATE 2 July 2018 TIME 17:15 PHOTOGRAPHER Caio Vilela
40
/ FIFA 1904
fotogloria FIFA 1904 /
41
Wanda. Creating unique experiences to inspire future generations of football fans and players in China and all over the world.
www.wanda-group.com
PRESIDENT´S MESSAGE
FOOTBALL HISTORY WRITING ITSELF The last few months have been overwhelm-
open in awe. The young right-back raised
That, I thought, is football history writing
ing. Beautifully overwhelming. To the point
his finger to excuse himself, took a couple
itself. There, I thought, lies FIFA’s responsi-
that only now am I starting to process the
of steps forward and waved his hands in the
bility: to nurture this process and ensure
multiple meanings and implications of a
air to attract the attention of a passer-by,
that its result is as prosperous, inclusive and
phenomenon as awe-inspiring as the 2018
to whom he smiled and candidly said:
fair as the most fascinating sport on earth
FIFA World Cup was. I can only imagine
“You are my idol”. The surprised addressee
truly deserves.
how the many football fans will relate to
smiled back and responded with a warm,
this feeling.
emotional hug: it was 1998 world champion and FIFA Legend Lilian Thuram.
Michael Regan / FIFA via Getty Images
While in Vannes, France, the other day, shortly before the final of the FIFA U-20
There was a 22-year-old young man, min-
Women’s World Cup, I found myself bask-
utes after having won the biggest prize a
ing in my memories of Russia 2018 and the
footballer can ever dream of, finding him-
myriad of images that seem to be constant-
self simply starstruck. Starstruck by football
ly simmering in the back of my mind.
history.
One of them is from the tunnel around the
As I snapped back into reality, in front of
dressing rooms of the Luzhniki Stadium,
me stood the pitch of the Stade de la
shortly after France had beaten Croatia to
Rabine. There they were, Spanish and
claim the world title. It is the area where TV
Japanese teenage girls warming up in their
stations set up their cameras for post-match
national team kits, surrounded by magnifi-
interviews.
cent tournament support and infrastruc-
Yours in football,
ture. There they were, about to play a Frenchman Benjamin Pavard was happily
World Cup final in, of all places, the country
speaking to a reporter, until halfway
whose football legend had just been cata-
through an answer he suddenly stood still
pulted to heavenly heights a few weeks
for a second – his eyes and mouth wide
before.
Gianni Infantino, FIFA President FIFA 1904 /
43
FIFA NEWS
NEW AUDIENCE RECORD FOR FIFA eWORLD CUP™
Fest has been part of the official programme of the FIFA World
According to Electronic Arts Inc. and FIFA, the FIFA eWorld Cup
2014 editions in South Africa and Brazil, and it was definitely
Grand Final 2018 achieved a record global audience with more
one of the highlights for fans in Russia.
Cup™ since Germany 2006. It featured again at the 2010 and
than 29 million views across online platforms during the threeday event. Underlining the exciting potential growth for the tournament and competitive FIFA gaming, the global online audience for this year’s FIFA eWorld Cup Grand Final represented
a 400 per cent increase in digital viewership over the FIFA Inter
active World Cup 2017 final and twice the digital viewership of the EA SPORTS FIFA 18 Global Series Playoffs held in Amsterdam from 28 May to 3 June. Peak concurrent viewership during the Grand Final broadcast on 4 August was an estimated 322,000 across 12 digital platforms, with the event delivered to 19 broadcasters covering over 60 territories around the world. JeanFrançois Pathy, FIFA Director of Marketing Services, said: “This year’s FIFA eWorld Cup Grand Final was an important milestone in the progress and continued professionalisation of competitive FIFA gaming. Following the move to a new venue and a new format, the success of this year has underlined the unique opportunity that competitive FIFA gaming has to engage with new fans and audiences, as well as how it can support FIFA’s ongoing efforts to drive interest and develop football around the world.”
ONGOING REVISION OF THE INTERMEDIARIES SYSTEM FIFA FAN FESTS™ WITH 7.7 MILLION VISITORS
FIFA recently hosted the third consultation meeting with a group
FIFA Fan Fests™ took Russia by storm, welcoming 7.7 million
mediaries system. Representatives of the FIFA administration and
visitors in total, a substantial increase on the 5.2 million fans
the Task Force Transfer System, established by the FIFA Football
who attended the fests in 2014. Tens of thousands of Russian
Stakeholders Committee and composed of representatives from
and international football fans opted for the Fan Fest locations
confederations, member associations, the European Club
as their venues of choice for each matchday. They watched a
Association, FIFPro and the World League Forum, met with a
total of 917 hours of live football and enjoyed an exciting music
selected group of agents including representatives of the
and cultural entertainment programme featuring 646 bands
European Football Agents Association (EFAA). At the meeting,
playing 323 hours of live music, all free of charge. “The close
a number of possible concrete changes to the intermediaries
collaboration between FIFA, the LOC, the Host Cities and our
system were discussed. The third consultation meeting followed
Commercial Affiliates made this project possible,” said FIFA’s
on from two previous meetings in April and May, at which a
Chief Commercial Officer, Philippe Le Floc’h. “Work has already
general possible framework and the main objectives of the
started to make the FIFA Fan Fest experience even more enter-
revision prepared by the Task Force Transfer System were
taining in the future, and we are looking forward to welcoming
discussed. The aim of this consultation is to take on board
fans to the 2022 FIFA World Cup™ in Qatar,” he added. The
input from the entire football community and ensure a broad
highest daily attendance was reached on 25 June, the day
consensus around the review process. Discussions on the inter-
Uruguay took on hosts Russia, when some 499,000 fans
mediaries system are part of a wider process for the revision of
attended the 11 venues. Moscow was the most popular Fan
the transfer system, which is currently ongoing under the lead
Fest overall, with a staggering 1,887,200 visitors. The FIFA Fan
of the Football Stakeholders Committee.
44
/ FIFA 1904
FIFA via Getty Images
of football agents concerning the ongoing revision of the inter-
2026 FIFA WORLD CUP™: INDEPENDENT REPORT PUBLISHED Following the designation of Canada, Mexico and the United
concerning the fair and equal treatment of all member associations
States as the hosts of the 2026 FIFA World Cup by the 68 FIFA
participating in the bidding process, the evaluation of bids by the
Congress, auditing company BDO has submitted to FIFA a report
2026 Bid Evaluation Task Force, the designation of bids by the FIFA
with their main findings and observations on the bidding process.
Council and the decision on the selection of the hosts by the FIFA
BDO was appointed by FIFA following a tender to ensure the
Congress. Overall, BDO did not identify any indications that FIFA
protection of the integrity of the bidding process and monitor the
did not comply with the rules of the bidding process. The full
correct implementation of the respective rules, in particular those
report can be found at https://bit.ly/2AD1Z93.
th
JAPAN CELEBRATE HISTORIC TRIUMPH the quarter-finals, while the Little Nadeshiko triumphed at the
U-20 Women’s World Cup France 2018 to claim the title just
FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Costa Rica in 2014, where
15 days after losing 1-0 to the same opponents in the group
their opponents in the final were none other than Spain. Japan’s
stage. The tables were turned in the final as Hinata Miyazawa,
latest victory means they are the only nation to have won every
Saori Takarada and Fuka Nagano all scored to steer the Young
age-level World Cup in the women’s game. In the play-off for
Nadeshiko to victory. The Japanese U-20 girls therefore followed
third place, England defeated hosts France in a penalty shoot-
in the footsteps of their senior and U-17 counterparts by lifting
out to claim the bronze medal, England’s best-ever showing in
their first U-20 Women’s World Cup title – the only one missing
this competition. Georgia Stanway had put the typically spirited
from Japan’s collection. The Nadeshiko lifted the Women’s
Young Lionesses ahead before Emelyne Laurent equalised to
World Cup in Canada in 2011, having also beaten Germany in
send the game into a penalty shoot-out.
Alex Grimm / FIFA via Getty Images
On 26 August, Japan defeated Spain in the final of the FIFA
FIFA 1904 /
45
+ / – Points
Rank Team
+ / – Points
Rank Team
+ / – Points
Rank Team
1 France
6
1726
57 Korea Republic
0
1387
113 Bahrain
0
1180
169 Singapore
0
976
2 Belgium
1
1723
58 Albania
0
1384
114 Mozambique
0
1176
170 St Lucia
0
972
3 Brazil
-1
1657
59 Bolivia
0
1378
115 Philippines
0
1172
171 Malaysia
0
971
4 Croatia
16
1643
60 Ecuador
0
1376
116 Kazakhstan
1
1167
172 Gambia
0
964
5 Uruguay
9
1627
61 Honduras
1
1368
117 Namibia
-1
1166
173 Puerto Rico
0
960
6 England
6
1615
62 Finland
1
1364
118 Zimbabwe
0
1164
173 St Vincent and the Grenadines
0
960
7 Portugal
-3
1599
63 Mali
1
1360
119 New Zealand
1
1157
175 Moldova
0
957
8 Switzerland
-2
1597
64 Cape Verde Islands
1
1356
120 Tajikistan
-1
1156
176 Chad
-1
956
9 Spain
1
1580
65 Egypt
-20
1355
121 Guinea-Bissau
0
1148
177 Dominica
0
952
9 Denmark
3
1580
66 Algeria
0
1351
122 Thailand
0
1144
178 Bermuda
0
948
11 Argentina
-6
1574
67 Côte d'Ivoire
1
1344
123 Malawi
0
1140
178 Laos
0
948
12 Chile
-3
1570
67 Guinea
1
1344
124 Togo
1
1136
180 Liechtenstein
0
944
13 Sweden
-14
1343
125 Chinese Taipei
-2
1135
181 Cuba
0
940
-3
1336
126 Antigua and Barbuda
0
1132
182 Guyana
0
936
11
1565
69 Panama
14 Colombia
2
1563
70 Saudi Arabia
15 Germany
-14
1561
70 FYR Macedonia
1
1336
127 Lithuania
-1
1130
183 Bhutan
0
932
-1
1560
72 El Salvador
0
1332
128 Sudan
0
1128
184 Malta
0
928
16 Mexico 17 Netherlands 18 Poland
0
1540
73 Syria
0
1328
129 Latvia
0
1122
185 Macau
0
924
-10
1538
74 South Africa
0
1327
130 Turkmenistan
0
1120
186 São Tomé e Príncipe
0
920
19 Wales
-1
1536
75 China PR
0
1320
130 Andorra
0
1120
186 Mongolia
0
920
20 Peru
-9
1535
76 Zambia
0
1315
132 Nicaragua
0
1116
188 Aruba
0
916
21 Italy
-2
1532
77 United Arab Emirates
0
1312
133 Yemen
0
1112
188 Seychelles
0
916
22 USA
3
1508
78 Belarus
0
1306
134 Swaziland
0
1105
190 Guam
0
912
23 Austria
3
1502
79 Canada
0
1304
135 St Kitts and Nevis
0
1104
190 Timor-Leste
0
912
24 Tunisia
-3
1498
79 Lebanon
0
1304
136 Rwanda
0
1100
192 Cook Islands
0
908 908
24 Senegal
3
1498
81 Curaçao
0
1300
137 Angola
0
1096
192 American Samoa
0
26 Slovakia
2
1493
82 Uganda
0
1296
138 Myanmar
0
1092
194 Bangladesh
0
904
27 Northern Ireland
2
1492
83 Congo
0
1292
139 Botswana
0
1089
195 Gibraltar
0
900
28 Romania
2
1490
84 Oman
0
1288
140 Tanzania
0
1084
195 Brunei Darussalam
0
900
29 Republic of Ireland
2
1484
85 Luxembourg
0
1286
141 Kosovo
0
1080
197 Samoa
0
896
30 Paraguay
2
1477
86 Gabon
-1
1284
142 Hong Kong
0
1076
197 Djibouti
0
896
31 Venezuela
2
1476
87 Cyprus
0
1280
143 Equatorial Guinea
0
1072
199 US Virgin Islands
0
892
32 Costa Rica
-9
1471
88 Benin
0
1276
143 Solomon Islands
0
1072
200 Sri Lanka
0
888
32 IR Iran
5
1471
89 Iraq
0
1274
145 Afghanistan
0
1068
201 Pakistan
0
884
32 Iceland
-10
1471
90 Faroe Islands
0
1268
146 Guatemala
0
1064
202 Cayman Islands
0
880
35 Ukraine
0
1468
91 Trinidad and Tobago
0
1264
146 Lesotho
1
1064
203 San Marino
0
876
36 Serbia
-2
1459
92 Kyrgyz Republic
0
1260
148 Burundi
0
1056
204 Montserrat
0
872
37 Congo DR
1
1456
93 Israel
0
1256
149 Comoros
0
1052
204 British Virgin Islands
0
872
38 Turkey
0
1455
94 Estonia
0
1250
150 Maldives
0
1048
206 Eritrea
0
868
39 Bosnia and Herzegovina
1
1452
95 Uzbekistan
0
1247
151 Ethiopia
0
1044
206 Turks and Caicos Islands
0
868
40 Scotland
2
1444
96 Georgia
0
1242
152 Dominican Republic
0
1040
206 Somalia
0
868
41 Montenegro
2
1440
96 India
1
1242
153 Suriname
0
1036
206 Bahamas
0
868
42 Greece
2
1436
98 Qatar
0
1236
154 New Caledonia
0
1032
206 Anguilla
0
868
43 Australia
-7
1431
99 Palestine
0
1230
155 Mauritius
0
1028
206 Tonga
0
868
44 Czech Republic
2
1430
100 Armenia
0
1227
156 South Sudan
0
1024
45 Ghana
2
1424
101 Libya
0
1224
157 Tahiti
0
1020 1016
46 Morocco
46
+ / – Points
Rank Team
FIFA/COCA-COLA MEN’S WORLD RANKING
-5
1418
102 Vietnam
0
1220
158 Liberia
0
47 Cameroon
2
1416
103 Niger
0
1216
159 Kuwait
0
1012
47 Bulgaria
2
1416
104 Haiti
0
1212
160 Barbados
0
1005
49 Russia
21
1410
105 Azerbaijan
0
1207
161 Nepal
0
1004
49 Nigeria
-1
1410
106 Mauritania
1
1200
162 Vanuatu
0
1000
51 Hungary
0
1409
107 Madagascar
-1
1199
163 Belize
0
999
52 Burkina Faso
0
1408
108 Korea DPR
0
1196
164 Indonesia
0
992
53 Norway
0
1406
108 Central African Republic
0
1196
165 Fiji
0
985
54 Jamaica
0
1400
110 Jordan
0
1192
166 Papua New Guinea
0
984
55 Japan
6
1392
111 Sierra Leone
0
1188
166 Cambodia
0
984
55 Slovenia
1
1392
112 Kenya
0
1182
168 Grenada
0
980
/ FIFA 1904
Last updated: 16 August 2018
www.fifa.com/worldranking
A CAREER IN PANINI STICKERS
RONALDINHO
(RONALDO DE ASSIS MOREIRA)
© PANINI
97 caps for Brazil, World Cup winner in 2002, FIFA World Player of the Year in 2004 and 2005.
FIFA 1904 /
47
FIFA MEMBER ASSOCIATIONS
tasted success by winning
Carthage Eagles reins,
Cup™ now over, the FIFA
Both players enjoyed ex
the Africa Cup of Nations in
having already managed the
member associations are
tremely decorated playing
the same year, scoring twice
side in 2009 and 2010. His
starting to prepare for the
careers and hold five UEFA
in the final, and struck gold
first mission in the hot seat
next major tournaments.
Champions League medals
at the Men’s Olympic Foot
will be to stay on course for
Therefore, our focus in this
between them, as well as
ball Tournament Atlanta
next year’s CAF Africa Cup
issue is on the teams who
being team mates when the
1996, bagging the winner
of Nations, with his side
have changed coaches
Oranje finished fourth at
against Argentina. The
currently occupying top spot
recently.
France 1998. “The two
former Sporting Lisbon and
in Group J, having defeated
technicians, both aged 42,
Barcelona player also
Egypt in the opening round
were chosen after a rigorous
coached Nigeria to the FIFA
of qualifiers last year.
selection process that
U 17 World Cup title in
allowed the examination of
2015.
numerous applications from Cameroon and abroad,” Dieudonné Happi, the chairman of Cameroon’s normalisation committee, said in a statement. “Their
BELMADI NAMED NEW ALGERIA COACH
BENZARTI TAKES OVER TUNISIA
Djamel Belmadi has
formidable careers as pro
Faouzi Benzarti
fessional players who
has been named
thrilled the whole world
as the new coach
been announced as Algeria’s new coach for the upcoming 2022 FIFA campaign. The 42 year old
were also included in the
Tunisian has signed a two
former Algerian international
‘FIFA 100’ list of the 125
year contract to take charge
midfielder previously managed
greatest living players in
of the Carthage Eagles.
Qatar at the AFC Asian Cup in
history, drawn up by Pelé
The North African side were
2015, and was most recently at
[in 2004].”
eliminated at the end of
the helm of Qatar side Al Du
Former Ajax, AC
the 2018 FIFA World Cup
hail. The four time World Cup
Milan and Real
Russia™ group stage fol
participants failed to qualify for
Madrid star
lowing two defeats in three
Russia 2018 following a strong
games. Maâloul stepped
showing four years earlier in
down and has taken charge
Brazil.
charge of reigning African kings Cameroon. Seedorf, who represented the
TANZANIA REVEAL AMUNIKE AS NEW COACH
-
-
Benzarti is one of the most
Netherlands at the 1998
The Tanzania
experienced Tunisian coach
FIFA World Cup™, takes
Football Feder
es with a career spanning
over from the Belgian Hugo
ation has con
four decades, including
firmed the ap
stints at Tunisian giants
Broos, who guided Cam
-
-
of Qatari club Al Duhail. -
Clarence Seedorf has taken
-
of high level football. They
-
World Cup Qatar™ qualifying
Maâloul. The 68 year old -
of Tunisia, replacing Nabil
-
gives them great experience
AGUIRRE NAMED EGYPT COACH
pointment of Emmanuel
Espérance and Club Africain.
Javier Aguirre has
at the CAF Africa Cup
Amunike as the new nation
He also has some experi
been named as
of Nations 2017. Joining
al team coach. A renowned
ence outside of his home
Egypt’s new
Seedorf as his assistant is
goal getter in his playing
nation, notably in Morocco
coach for the 2022 FIFA
fellow Dutch icon Patrick
days, Amunike scored twice
where he took charge of
World Cup campaign. Agu
Kluivert, who served as
for Nigeria at their maiden
Raja and Wydad Casablanca.
irre succeeds Argentinian
assistant coach of the
FIFA World Cup™ at USA
This will be the second time
Héctor Cúper, who ended
Netherlands when they
1994. The 47 year old also
Benzarti has taken the
his relationship with Egypt
48
/ FIFA 1904
-
-
-
eroon to continental glory
Getty Images
SEEDORF TAKES CHARGE OF CAMEROON
-
finished third at Brazil 2014.
-
With the 2018 FIFA World
after the 2018 FIFA World
the Croatian had signed a
battles in Asia, and eventu-
managed his country be-
Cup Russia and is the new
two-year contract. Jozak’s
ally head into the competi-
tween 2010 and 2014, a
coach of Uzbekistan. Egypt,
first meeting with the Olym-
tions against the world,”
stint that ended after Brazil
who were hamstrung by an
pic squad will be a training
Moriyasu said. “I will build
2014. Their group-stage exit
injury to star striker Mo-
stint in Munich, Germany, in
on what coach Nishino has
ultimately fell short of their
hamed Salah, suffered three
preparation for the 2020
worked on and develop an
previous major tournament
defeats at Russia 2018.
qualifiers. A former profes-
even stronger Japan team.”
showing at UEFA EURO
Aguirre led his native Mexico
sional footballer, Jozak last
2012, where he took them
to two World Cups – 2002
coached Legia Warsaw and
to the semi-finals. Bento has
and 2010 – and also had a
is a member of UEFA’s
enjoyed success at club level,
brief stint with Japan, but
Development and Technical
winning back-to-back Taças
exited the role following a
Assistance Committee.
de Portugal at first club
disappointing showing at the
Sporting Lisbon, before
AFC Asian Cup in 2015.
setting Olympiacos up for a
Aguirre will now be looking
Greek Superleague title
to lead the Pharaohs to
before leaving in March
successive World Cups for the first time.
MORIYASU NAMED JAPAN COACH
Cruzeiro in Brazil and China’s
pointed Olympic
Chongqing Lifan. As a
squad coach Hajime Moriyasu
player, the former Portugal
to manage the senior
midfielder appeared at
national team for the 2022
Korea/Japan 2002, playing in
FIFA World Cup Qatar
three games at the tourna-
campaign. Moriyasu won
ment. His final match was a
three J.League titles during
1-0 defeat to his new em-
spell at Sanfrecce Hiroshima before taking the Olympic
BENTO APPOINTED KOREA REPUBLIC COACH
ployers, courtesy of a Park Ji-sung goal, which sent Korea Republic through as
team reins in 2017. A former
Korea Republic have
winners of Group D. Bento’s
midfielder, Moriyasu was a
named former
first major challenge as their
Portugal boss Paulo
coach will be at the AFC
regular for Japan in the
Getty Images (2)
in Greece, he took charge of
Japan have ap-
a highly successful five-year
JOZAK TAKES CHARGE OF KUWAIT
2017. Either side of his stint
mid-1990s and featured
Bento as their new coach,
Asian Cup UAE 2019 in
when the national team last
with Bento succeeding Shin
January, where the Taeguk
failed to qualify for the
Tae-yong who led them at
Warriors will face China PR,
World Cup in 1994. Moriyasu
the 2018 FIFA World Cup
the Philippines and Kyrgyz
replaces Akira Nishino,
Russia. The 49-year-old’s
Republic.
appointment was announced
touching distance of a
at a press conference, with
Jozak has been
maiden quarter-final World
Kim Pan-gon, the head of
signed up by the
Cup appearance, only for
the national team supervis
Kuwait Football Association
Samurai Blue to suffer a
ory committee, outlining the
(KFA) as the new head coach
last-minute 3-2 defeat by
former Sporting Lisbon
of the national and Olympic
Belgium at Russia 2018. The
coach as the man to take
Uzbekistan have
squads. KFA President
50-year-old Moriyasu was
Korea Republic forward on
hired Héctor
Sheikh Ahmad Yousef
an assistant to Nishino in
the road to Qatar 2022.
Cúper, the coach
Al-Sabah, in announcing
Russia. “I must construct a
Bento has prior experience
who led Egypt to the 2018
Jozak’s appointment, said
team that can fight through
of the World Cup, having
FIFA World Cup Russia.
who led Japan to within
Croatian Romeo
CÚPER TAKES THE REINS
FIFA 1904 /
49
FIFA MEMBER ASSOCIATIONS
will remain in my heart, and
of the games he was in
the hearts of all Panama
charge of the Mexican
nians, for life. Panama is on
After guiding
national team, as well as his
a secure path to continue
aohs’ exile from the global
Mexico to the
frankness and honesty in his
making history in football.”
finals – leading them to
round of 16 at the
decision not to be considered
The 62-year-old took charge
hoping Cúper can work some similar magic for them after he ended the Phar-
which he prepared for each
OSORIO AND MEXICO PART COMPANY
Russia 28 years after their
2018 FIFA World Cup, Juan
a candidate for the next
of Panama in February 2014,
last appearance at Italy
Carlos Osorio has stepped
World Cup cycle.”
with the goal of taking the
1990. After signing a deal
down as coach after almost
Central American nation to
until Qatar 2022, Cúper will
three years in the role. After
its first-ever World Cup,
be tasked with guiding
his contract ended following
which he accomplished.
Uzbekistan to their first-ever
the tournament, Osorio left
Gómez also coached his
appearance at the World
Mexico having won 33 of
Cup, having pushed for a
his 52 games at the helm.
place at the last two tourna-
The Colombian tactician
ments. Only a penalty
saw El Tri’s tournament end
debut at the world finals,
shootout denied them an
at the hands of Brazil, with a
Panama lost all three of
intercontinental play-off
2-0 defeat seeing them exit
their matches in Group G:
place on the road to Brazil
for the seventh successive
3-0 v. Belgium, 6-1 v.
2014, while goal difference
time at the last 16. This
England and 2-1 v. Tunisia.
saw them miss out on
followed wins over Germany
After the World Cup,
another place in the Asian
– a first in Mexico’s history
Gómez was officially pre-
play-off this time around.
– and Korea Republic to
sented as the new coach
Cúper – last year’s CAF
make it past the group
of Ecuador. This will be
Coach of the Year – could
stage. “I would like to send
Gómez’s second stint at the
not make Egypt’s trip to
my sincere thanks to the
helm for Ecuador. During his
Russia a triumphant one, as
Mexican fans, to the Mexi-
first spell, he took the team
GÓMEZ LEAVES PANAMA POST AND RETURNS TO ECUADOR
homeland Colombia at France 1998 and Ecuador at Korea/Japan 2002. In their
the Pharaohs lost all three
can FA, to the employees of
to their first World Cup
of their games to finish
the Centro de Alto Ren-
finals at Korea/Japan 2002.
bottom of Group A. This
dimiento, and especially to
will be his third spell as a
the players, with whom I
Colombian
back home,” Gómez said
national team coach, having
had the privilege of working
Hernán Darío
during his official presenta-
also led Georgia for just
during my job as the coach
Gómez, the first
tion at the Ecuadorian FA in
over a year. At club level, he
of the Mexican national
head coach to take Panama
Guayaquil. “I have prestige,
took charge of the likes of
team, a position I held with
to a World Cup finals,
thanks to Ecuador, all over
Valencia and Inter Milan at
commitment, passion and
recently announced his
the world.” The 62-year-old
the turn of the millennium.
pride,” Osorio said in a
departure from the position.
will attempt to be involved
His first competitive chal-
statement. “On behalf of
Writing in a letter published
in a World Cup for a sixth
lenge will be the AFC Asian
myself and my coaching
by the Panamanian FA
time. He was assistant coach
Cup UAE 2019. Placed in
staff, many thanks to every-
(FEPAFUT), Gómez said:
to Francisco Maturana with
Group F, they will face
one for this unique and
“Now, for me, it is the time
Colombia during their
Japan – Asia’s top perform-
unparalleled professional
for the difficult act of mov-
campaigns at Italy 1990 and
ers in Russia – Oman and
and life experience.” The
ing my feet from the place
USA 1994. He was then
Turkmenistan.
Mexican FA, meanwhile,
where I have put my heart.
head coach for Colombia at
said: “We thank [Osorio] for
Russia 2018 was the begin-
France 1998, Ecuador in
his dedication, passion,
ning. I fulfilled my promise
2002 and Panama at Russia
commitment and affection
to take Panama to its first
2018. “United we are
that he showed and with
football World Cup and that
stronger,” he said. “You
50
/ FIFA 1904
“I’m very happy to come
AFP
The Asian side will be
achieve things when there is
champions France. “Over
unity, love and a sense of
the years, we have been
belonging and when you
finding solutions,” Gareca
have good people join.”
continued. “We believe that
Lionel Scaloni and
midfielder Aimar has held
great figures will continue to
Pablo Aimar will take
the role of Argentina U-17
emerge and we will find
charge of Argentina
coach for the past year.
recently announced
HO
that they had
4-3 defeat by eventual winners France in the round of 16. Former national team
on an interim basis in the
“Later we will decide who
positions we need.”
wake of Jorge Sampaoli’s
will assume the role perman
exit from the role. Scaloni
ently,” said Argentinian FA
was assistant to Sampaoli at
President Claudio Tapia.
the recent FIFA World Cup
“We are going to take our
in Russia, where La Albice-
time to make the right
leste were eliminated after a
choice.”
CHERCHESOV EXTENDS CONTRACT
the quarter-finals, where they
FOUR MORE YEARS FOR TITE
reached an agreement with
Tite is set to be
coach Ricardo Gareca on a
Brazil coach
contract extension that will
throughout their
see him remain in charge
2022 FIFA World
qualified players for the
GARECA SIGNS PERU EXTENSION The Peruvian FA
SCALONI AND AIMAR INTERIM COACHES
Cup Qatar campaign, after
gentinian led Peru to Russia
the Brazilian FA (CBF)
2018, their first World Cup
announced a four-year
finals since 1982, and has
contract renewal for the
been entrusted to build on
57-year-old. After being
that success in the next
appointed in 2016, Tite
World Cup cycle. “What we
helped Brazil to a series of
like is essentially the confi-
impressive results during
dence of the Peruvian
qualifying for the 2018 FIFA
players, and we are betting
World Cup, only for the
on their potential,” Gareca
five-time world champions
said at an official press
to suffer a quarter-final exit
conference in Lima. “We are
in Russia after a 2-1 defeat
grateful for the demonstra-
by Belgium. “The CBF is
tion of support from every-
investing in a long-term
one. We have nothing but
project by guaranteeing the
words of thanks. We have
technical committee six-
many important challenges
and-a-half years in charge
in Peru. Perhaps this is a
of the national team, and
more complicated stage
we believe that careful
than the previous one. We
planning and judicious
have to prepare for friendly
execution will lead Brazilian
matches. That will have me
football to the results we
Russia head coach
a narrow 4-3 penalty shoot-
busy. The task is not fin-
expect,” said Rogério Cabo-
Stanislav
out defeat, Cherchesov has
ished.” Peru were eliminated
cio, Executive Director of the
Cherchesov has
been given an extension to
after the group stage at
CBF. Tite boasts a strong
signed a new contract with
his contract by the Football
Russia 2018, picking up a
record as Brazil coach,
2018 FIFA World Cup hosts
Union of Russia. The agree-
2-0 win over Australia after
winning 20 and losing just
Russia, which could see him
ment is for Cherchesov to
suffering narrow 1-0 defeats
twice in 26 matches at the
lead the team until 2022.
coach the national team for
to Denmark and eventual
national team helm.
Following the hosts’ run to
two more years, but it will be
were knocked out by even
until Qatar 2022. The Ar-
tual runners-up Croatia after
FIFA 1904 /
51
extended for a further two if
to reach the FIFA World Cup
the team succeeds in qualify-
when they qualified for Russia
ing for UEFA EURO 2020.
2018. They earned a credible
“I’m happy to continue
draw in their global finals
working with Russia,”
opener against Argentina,
Andreas Heraf has
Cherchesov said on the
before bowing out at the end
resigned from his
association’s official website.
of the group stage after
“We have set the bar quite
losses to Nigeria and eventual
Zealand Football Technical
high in terms of results, but
finalists Croatia. After Iceland’s
Director and Football Ferns
we will try to keep this up. I
qualification for UEFA EURO
coach. The 50-year-old
understand the responsibility
2016 and later Russia 2018,
Austrian, who was appoint-
and will continue to work
Hamrén has announced his
ed as the Technical Director
with dignity.”
intent to keep the nation’s
in April 2017 and took over
momentum of advancing to
the Football Ferns role in
major tournaments going.
December, will take part in
“I’m coming into a new
the current independent
country and new team,” said
review into the culture of
Hamrén. “It’s important that
New Zealand Football. New
I don’t change everything.
Zealand Football President
We have to hold onto the
Deryck Shaw accepted
Former Sweden
things that have worked well
Heraf’s resignation, noting
head coach Erik
in the past. My aim is to take
that “part of the resignation
Hamrén has been
Iceland to their third major
is that Andreas has con-
revealed as the new Iceland
finals in a row. I believe we
firmed that he will fully
manager. The Football Asso-
can do it.” Hamrén was
participate in the review and
ciation of Iceland formally
previously in charge of the
we will look into the find-
introduced the 61-year-old
Swedish national team for
ings of the review to deter-
at a press conference on
seven years, overseeing
mine the outcomes around
8 August. With a population
Blågult at back-to-back
this matter”.
of just 335,000, Iceland
European Championships in
became the smallest nation
2012 and 2016.
HAMRÉN TAKES CHARGE AT ICELAND
HERAF RESIGNS FROM NEW ZEALAND FOOTBALL
positions of New
FIFA 1904 /
53
THEN
1964 LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND
imago
Bringer of good luck This black cat turned out be a lucky invader for Liverpool after dashing out from behind the Kop at Anfield, as the Reds went on to beat Arsenal 3-2.
54
/ FIFA 1904
NOW
2018 ISTANBUL, TURKEY
Metin Pala / Anadolu Agency
Speedy Gonzales A fleet-footed feline interrupts a Champions League match between Beşiktaş and Bayern Munich.
FIFA 1904 /
55
56
/ FIFA 1904
A FIFA LEGEND’S CAREER The incredible career of Diego Forlán, the grandson of Juan Carlos Corazzo (former Uruguay head coach) and son of Pablo Forlán (a member of Uruguay’s squad for the 1966 and 1974 World Cups), began back in 1998. South Africa 2010 was undoubtedly the highlight as he won the adidas Golden Ball for the best player. At club level, he also lifted the Premier League title in England and finished as top scorer in Spain twice.
1998-2001 CA INDEPENDIENTE
The 21-year-old Forlán, in his third season in Argentina, scores 18 goals in 36 games – and receives some interesting offers from Europe.
1998
Titanic wins 11 Oscars.
2001-2004 MANCHESTER UNITED
Despite never truly settling in England, Forlán becomes a cult hero by scoring both United goals in a 2-1 win at Anfield. United fans still sing their Forlán song to this very day.
2004-2007 CF VILLARREAL
Forlán finishes his first season in Spain as top scorer. He also wins the Golden Shoe for the top marksman in Europe.
2004
Two Edvard Munch paintings, “The Scream” and “Madonna”, are stolen from the Munch Museum in Oslo.
2007-2011 ATLÉTICO MADRID
Forlán enjoys his most prolific spell with 76 goals for Atlético, including both goals in a 2-1 win over Fulham in the Europa League final in 2010.
2011-2012 INTERNAZIONALE Blighted by injury, only 20 appearances.
2011
Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi steps down.
2012-2014 SC INTERNACIONAL
After returning to South America, Forlán scores 19 goals in 47 games in Brazil.
2014-2018 CEREZO OSAKA/PEÑAROL/ MUMBAI CITY/KITCHEE SC Forlán takes his talents to Asia and back to Uruguay before calling time on his career.
2014
The warmest year since records began back in 1880, with a global average temperature over land and sea of 14.6oC. FIFA 1904 /
57
PHOTO ARCHIVE
Brazil times two The then-world Brazil line up – as do their subs – before taking on Bulgaria at Rio’s Maracanã (1-0; 14 April 1974). 58
/ FIFA 1904
FIFA 1904 /
picture-alliance / dpa
59
Visa. Worldwide Partner and official payment technology of the FIFA Women’s World Cup France 2019™.
Š Mordillo Foundation. All rights reserved. Licensed by Rubinstein Royalty Management B.V., Amsterdam, The Netherlands; www.mordillo.com; Illustration provided by Rubinstein Royalty Management B.V., Mordillo Worldwide Licensing, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
MORDILLO
FIFA 1904 /
61
INNOVATIONS
AN ILLUMINATING HISTORY Without good floodlighting, there would be no high-definition TV images. The story of lighting football pitches began with four arc lamps. By Alan Schweingruber
It was October 1878 in Sheffield, early evening at
measures one lux at a distance of one metre.
Sheaf House. Four large lamps were erected, a
Meanwhile, the lighting in a standard office comes
referee was present and football was played. And
in at 500 lux. For football stadiums, there have of
because it was all so exciting and much talked
course been requirements for quite some time, not
about in the run-up, nearly 20,000 spectators
least because of the quality requirements for
came and paid to get in to watch the first night-
television viewers. For World Cup qualifiers, FIFA
time football match. Thousands more also
requires a light intensity of 1,200 lux. At the World
sneaked in in the semi-darkness.
Cup finals, that figure becomes 2,000 lux. An
disappeared – Bayern Munich’s stadium, for exam-
the stadium is still primarily on the match, but we
ple, boasts 296 floodlights.
also focus on food or the half-time dancers. With
out good lighting, none of this would be possible.
Incidentally, floodlights were not introduced in Germany until 1956. The result was euphoria.
But what exactly counts as “light”? Where do you
Night matches proved so popular that for two
draw the line? On a full moon night, you still get
seasons a “floodlit trophy” was even contested.
around 0.25 lux (the unit of light intensity) of light
By this point, the development of floodlights was
in the darkness. For comparison, a single candle
well advanced – so there was no more sneaking in!
62
/ FIFA 1904
fold shadow from the light poles in the corners has
day. The focus of our two or three hours spent in
modern stadium at night, it’s almost as light as
is no longer a thing. What’s more, even the four-
matches being interrupted due to a power outage
floodlighting into perspective. When you go to a
Clearly, this puts our modern-day perceptions of
Vladimir Rys / Bongarts / Getty Images
emergency generator is also a requirement, so
FANS
NICE SCRIBBLE Autographs enjoy cult status, even in the digital age. But why? By Alan Schweingruber
On YouTube, there’s an old video of Pete
scribbled names? Wouldn’t you think,
a sense of wonder in your eyes and the
Doherty. It shows him as an unknown
in these days of Twitter, Instagram and
added tangibility of anecdotes (“He wears
teenager waiting in line for the new Oasis
the whole fake industry, that a felt-tip
this really strong fragrance”).
album. Today, you could almost imagine
signature is old-fashioned and ridiculous? You can’t download true autographs:
waiting for Doherty’s autograph – he’s
Yet it isn’t. Or fortunately it isn’t. Because,
you have to get hold of them. Like at the
the one who makes the headlines these
for the recipient, a coveted autograph is
The Best FIFA Football Awards™ event
days.
more than just a scribble, just as it always
in London on 24 September, where fans
has been. It is a link between the fan and
will be waiting for hours for a face-to-face
Footballers’ autographs possess a similar
the star, a witness to the fact that you
with the stars. And maybe one day, one
cult status. And in 2018, you would be
really did meet your idol, and maybe even
or two of them will be signing the auto-
well within your rights to ask, what is it
exchanged a few words. And you can
graphs.
about these hastily and often sloppily
then share all this with your friends, with
Valeriano Di Domenico / FIFA via Getty Images
the stars of the now-disbanded group
Marcelo in demand The Real Madrid star signs autographs at The Best FIFA Football Awards™ in Zurich (9 January 2017). FIFA 1904 /
63
COMING UP
PUBLICATION DETAILS: FIFA 1904 – PUBLISHED MONTHLY BY THE FÉDÉRATION INTERNATIONALE DE FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION (FIFA).
OCTOBER 2018 THE FIFA FOUNDATION
PUBLISHER FIFA,
PLAY TOGETHER. BRING SMILES.
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As the world’s number one sport, football is uniquely placed to strengthen
8044 Zurich, Switzerland
initiatives that can improve the lives of young people around the world.
Phone +41 (0)43 222 7777 PRESIDENT Gianni Infantino
The FIFA Foundation was established in March 2018 as an independent entity
SECRETARY GENERAL Fatma Samoura
with the objectives of helping to promote positive social change around the world
CHIEF COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER
and raise support for the recovery and reconstruction of damaged or destroyed
Fabrice Jouhaud
sports infrastructure worldwide.
HEAD OF DIGITAL COMMUNICATIONS
Read all about it in FIFA 1904!
Rüdiger Müller CHIEF EDITOR Perikles Monioudis STAFF WRITERS Alan Schweingruber (Deputy Editor),
In our other major topic, we will take a thorough look at football and fashion.
Annette Braun
Stay tuned!
ART DIRECTION Marc Salvador i Puigarnau PICTURE EDITOR Peggy Knotz LAYOUT Susanne Egli, Linda Schwartz TRANSLATION AND PROOFREADING English: Andrew Hurley, Stuart Makin, Milica Sajin, Eugénie Stephenson; French: Alexandre Adriano, Alexandre Hubert, Alexandre Károlyi, Nicolas Samier; Spanish: Irene Antolín Pérez, José Ibarra,
FIFA Foundation FIFA Legend Michel Salgado at a children’s clinic in Guatemala after the tragic volcanic eruption earlier this year.
Juan F. López Vera, Natalia Pita Álvarez; German: Sandra Locher, Yves-Manuel Méan, Gabriela Straube-Zweifel CONTRIBUTORS TO THIS ISSUE Dr Michel D’Hooghe
PRODUCTION Philipp Mahrer / Hans-Peter Frei PRINTING ZT Medien AG CONTACT feedback-magazine@fifa.org INTERNET www.FIFA.com/Magazine
Reproduction of photographs and articles of FIFA 1904 in whole or in part is only permitted with prior editorial approval and with reference to the source (FIFA 1904, © FIFA 2018). The editor and staff are not obliged to publish unsolicited manuscripts and photographs. The views expressed in FIFA 1904 are not
FIFA and the FIFA logo are registered trademarks. Made and printed in Switzerland. 64
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necessarily those of FIFA.
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MY GAME IS FAIR PLAY
Football is a powerful unifying force. Participating in the beautiful game is a joy, but it also means we all have a responsibility: to treat each other with respect and sportsmanship, whether we are players, ofďŹ cials or fans. What happens on the pitch is not restricted to the touchlines: it can inspire the world.