FIFA 1904 September 2018 by Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA)

THE BEST FIFA FOOTBALL AWARDS 2018 TM

MAKING HISTORY ENGLISH EDITION

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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 /

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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).

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

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

FIFA 1904 /

THE MONTH IN PICTURES

We did it! Japan are all smiles in their dressing room after winning the FIFA U-20 Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s World Cup France 2018 thanks to a 3-1 win over Spain in Vannes on 24 August.

/ FIFA 1904

Alex Grimm / FIFA via Getty Images FIFA 1904 /

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 StrĂ¸msgodset (Norway).

/ FIFA 1904

Ashley Feder / FIFA via Getty Images FIFA 1904 /

THE BEST FIFA FOOTBALL AWARDS

NIN

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.

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 /

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 /

THE BEST FIFA FOOTBALL AWARDS

Mike Meyer (2)

THE PURSUIT OF GREATNESS

/ FIFA 1904

Manuel Neuer, one of the best goalkeepers in the world, finished third in the voting for the FIFA Ballon dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;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 /

THE BEST FIFA FOOTBALL AWARDS

Sweeper-keeper extraordinaire Neuer took “playing out from the back” to a whole new level at Brazil 2014.

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 /

THE BEST FIFA FOOTBALL AWARDS

“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

/ FIFA 1904

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 /

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

/ FIFA 1904

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 /

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 /

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

/ FIFA 1904

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 /

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 /

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 /

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

/ 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 /

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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 /

SNAPSHOT

Beacon of hope Cristiano Ronaldoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;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.

/ FIFA 1904

Alessandro di Marco/Keystone/EPA FIFA 1904 /

THE BEST FIFA FOOTBALL AWARDS

A SHORT

DRAMA 36

/ FIFA 1904

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 /

THE BEST FIFA FOOTBALL AWARDS

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.

/ 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 /

FIRST LOVE PLACE Svaneti, Georgia DATE 2 July 2018 TIME 17:15 PHOTOGRAPHER Caio Vilela

/ FIFA 1904

fotogloria FIFA 1904 /

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 /

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.

/ 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.

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 /

+ / – Points

Rank Team

+ / – Points

Rank Team

+ / – Points

Rank Team

1 France

1726

57 Korea Republic

1387

113 Bahrain

1180

169 Singapore

976

2 Belgium

1723

58 Albania

1384

114 Mozambique

1176

170 St Lucia

972

3 Brazil

-1

1657

59 Bolivia

1378

115 Philippines

1172

171 Malaysia

971

4 Croatia

1643

60 Ecuador

1376

116 Kazakhstan

1167

172 Gambia

964

5 Uruguay

1627

61 Honduras

1368

117 Namibia

-1

1166

173 Puerto Rico

960

6 England

1615

62 Finland

1364

118 Zimbabwe

1164

173 St Vincent and the Grenadines

960

7 Portugal

-3

1599

63 Mali

1360

119 New Zealand

1157

175 Moldova

957

8 Switzerland

-2

1597

64 Cape Verde Islands

1356

120 Tajikistan

-1

1156

176 Chad

-1

956

9 Spain

1580

65 Egypt

-20

1355

121 Guinea-Bissau

1148

177 Dominica

952

9 Denmark

1580

66 Algeria

1351

122 Thailand

1144

178 Bermuda

948

11 Argentina

-6

1574

67 Côte d'Ivoire

1344

123 Malawi

1140

178 Laos

948

12 Chile

-3

1570

67 Guinea

1344

124 Togo

1136

180 Liechtenstein

944

13 Sweden

-14

1343

125 Chinese Taipei

-2

1135

181 Cuba

940

-3

1336

126 Antigua and Barbuda

1132

182 Guyana

936

1565

69 Panama

14 Colombia

1563

70 Saudi Arabia

15 Germany

-14

1561

70 FYR Macedonia

1336

127 Lithuania

-1

1130

183 Bhutan

932

-1

1560

72 El Salvador

1332

128 Sudan

1128

184 Malta

928

16 Mexico 17 Netherlands 18 Poland

1540

73 Syria

1328

129 Latvia

1122

185 Macau

924

-10

1538

74 South Africa

1327

130 Turkmenistan

1120

186 São Tomé e Príncipe

920

19 Wales

-1

1536

75 China PR

1320

130 Andorra

1120

186 Mongolia

920

20 Peru

-9

1535

76 Zambia

1315

132 Nicaragua

1116

188 Aruba

916

21 Italy

-2

1532

77 United Arab Emirates

1312

133 Yemen

1112

188 Seychelles

916

22 USA

1508

78 Belarus

1306

134 Swaziland

1105

190 Guam

912

23 Austria

1502

79 Canada

1304

135 St Kitts and Nevis

1104

190 Timor-Leste

912

24 Tunisia

-3

1498

79 Lebanon

1304

136 Rwanda

1100

192 Cook Islands

908 908

24 Senegal

1498

81 Curaçao

1300

137 Angola

1096

192 American Samoa

26 Slovakia

1493

82 Uganda

1296

138 Myanmar

1092

194 Bangladesh

904

27 Northern Ireland

1492

83 Congo

1292

139 Botswana

1089

195 Gibraltar

900

28 Romania

1490

84 Oman

1288

140 Tanzania

1084

195 Brunei Darussalam

900

29 Republic of Ireland

1484

85 Luxembourg

1286

141 Kosovo

1080

197 Samoa

896

30 Paraguay

1477

86 Gabon

-1

1284

142 Hong Kong

1076

197 Djibouti

896

31 Venezuela

1476

87 Cyprus

1280

143 Equatorial Guinea

1072

199 US Virgin Islands

892

32 Costa Rica

-9

1471

88 Benin

1276

143 Solomon Islands

1072

200 Sri Lanka

888

32 IR Iran

1471

89 Iraq

1274

145 Afghanistan

1068

201 Pakistan

884

32 Iceland

-10

1471

90 Faroe Islands

1268

146 Guatemala

1064

202 Cayman Islands

880

35 Ukraine

1468

91 Trinidad and Tobago

1264

146 Lesotho

1064

203 San Marino

876

36 Serbia

-2

1459

92 Kyrgyz Republic

1260

148 Burundi

1056

204 Montserrat

872

37 Congo DR

1456

93 Israel

1256

149 Comoros

1052

204 British Virgin Islands

872

38 Turkey

1455

94 Estonia

1250

150 Maldives

1048

206 Eritrea

868

39 Bosnia and Herzegovina

1452

95 Uzbekistan

1247

151 Ethiopia

1044

206 Turks and Caicos Islands

868

40 Scotland

1444

96 Georgia

1242

152 Dominican Republic

1040

206 Somalia

868

41 Montenegro

1440

96 India

1242

153 Suriname

1036

206 Bahamas

868

42 Greece

1436

98 Qatar

1236

154 New Caledonia

1032

206 Anguilla

868

43 Australia

-7

1431

99 Palestine

1230

155 Mauritius

1028

206 Tonga

868

44 Czech Republic

1430

100 Armenia

1227

156 South Sudan

1024

45 Ghana

1424

101 Libya

1224

157 Tahiti

1020 1016

46 Morocco

+ / – Points

Rank Team

FIFA/COCA-COLA MEN’S WORLD RANKING

-5

1418

102 Vietnam

1220

158 Liberia

47 Cameroon

1416

103 Niger

1216

159 Kuwait

1012

47 Bulgaria

1416

104 Haiti

1212

160 Barbados

1005

49 Russia

1410

105 Azerbaijan

1207

161 Nepal

1004

49 Nigeria

-1

1410

106 Mauritania

1200

162 Vanuatu

1000

51 Hungary

1409

107 Madagascar

-1

1199

163 Belize

999

52 Burkina Faso

1408

108 Korea DPR

1196

164 Indonesia

992

53 Norway

1406

108 Central African Republic

1196

165 Fiji

985

54 Jamaica

1400

110 Jordan

1192

166 Papua New Guinea

984

55 Japan

1392

111 Sierra Leone

1188

166 Cambodia

984

55 Slovenia

1392

112 Kenya

1182

168 Grenada

980

/ FIFA 1904

Last updated: 16 August 2018

www.fifa.com/worldranking

A CAREER IN PANINI STICKERS

RONALDINHO

(RONALDO DE ASSIS MOREIRA)

Â© PANINI

97 caps for Brazil, World Cup winner in 2002, FIFA World Player of the Year in 2004 and 2005.

FIFA 1904 /

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

/ 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 /

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

/ 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

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 /

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 /

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.

/ 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 /

/ 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 /

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

Visa. Worldwide Partner and official payment technology of the FIFA Women’s World Cup France 2019™.

ÂŠ 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 /

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!

/ 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 /

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.

FIFA-Strasse 20, P.O. Box,

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

/ FIFA 1904

Getty Images

necessarily those of FIFA.

AVAILABLE SEPTEMBER 28TH

CHAMPIONS RISE

EA SPORTS™ FIFA 19 delivers a champion-caliber experience on and off the pitch. The UEFA Champions League is integrated into every facet of the game, so that anyone can lift the famous trophy. FIFA 19 also offers enhanced gameplay features that allow you to control the pitch in every moment, including Timed Finishing, Active Touch, Dynamic Tactics, and more. Don’t miss the dramatic finale to Alex Hunter’s story in The Journey: Champions, then build your dream squad in FIFA Ultimate Team with a new match mode and more added features that help you lead your team to greatness.

* FROSTBITE GAME ENGINE AND THE JOURNEY: CHAMPIONS ARE AVAILABLE ON XBOX ONE, PLAYSTATION 4 AND PC PLATFORM VERSIONS ONLY. UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE CONTENT AVAILABLE ON XBOX ONE, PLAYSTATION 4, PC AND NINTENDO SWITCH VERSIONS ONLY. PLEASE VISIT https://www.easports.com/fifa/features FOR MORE DETAILS ON WHAT FEATURES ARE AVAILABLE ON EACH PLATFORM. © 2018 Electronic Arts Inc. EA, EA SPORTS and the EA SPORTS logo are trademarks of Electronic Arts Inc. Official FIFA licensed product. © FIFA and FIFA’s Official Licensed Product Logo are copyrights and/or trademarks of FIFA. All rights reserved. Manufactured under license by Electronic Arts Inc. The UEFA word, CHAMPIONS LEAGUE word, the UEFA logo and all marks related to UEFA competitions (including but not limited to logos, designs, mascots, products, trophies and names) are owned and protected as trademarks, designs and/or as copyright works by UEFA.

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.