ZURICH (AP) — FIFA wants fans to vote in its rebranded "The Best" world player award.
Online voting will now be a one-quarter share of polling for the annual men's and women's player and coach awards, FIFA said on Monday.
The main voting participants ahead of the Jan. 9 ceremony already included national team captains and coaches, plus media.
Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have dominated FIFA's annual award, formerly known as the Ballon d'Or and World Player of the Year, since 2008. Messi has won five times and Ronaldo three.
Ronaldo was seen as favorite under the old voting rules to win for 2016 because Portugal won the European Championship and Real Madrid won the Champions League.