The Ballon d'Or: A Prestigious Football Award

The Ballon d'Or, awarded annually by France Football magazine, is the most prestigious individual prize in football. It recognizes the player perceived to be the best in the world based on their performances over the previous season.

The Voting Process

The winner is chosen through a dual system of voting:

1. Nomination: Journalists from France Football and L'Equipe collaborate to produce a list of 30 official nominees, based on players' performances.
2. Voting: One football journalist from each of the top 100 FIFA-ranked nations votes for their top 10 players from the shortlist. Points are awarded as follows: 15, 12, 10, 8, 7, 5, 4, 3, 2, and 1.
3. Tie-Breaker: If players are tied on points, the number of first-place votes is considered, followed by second-place votes, and so on.

Historical Changes

• 1956-1995: Only European players were eligible.
• 1995-2007: Players of any origin playing for a European club became eligible.
• 2007-Present: All players worldwide are included.
• 2010-2015: FIFA collaborated with France Football, renaming the award the FIFA Ballon d'Or.

The Women's Ballon d'Or

The Ballon d'Or Feminine was introduced in 2018. The voting process is similar, but only 50 journalists from top-ranked nations participate.

Criticism and Controversy

The Ballon d'Or has faced criticism for:

• Position Bias: Historically favoring attacking players over defenders and goalkeepers.
• Team Success Influence: Players from successful teams often receive more votes.
• Voter Composition: The award is voted on by journalists rather than players or coaches.

Record Holders

• Lionel Messi: 8 Ballon d'Or titles.
• Cristiano Ronaldo: 5 titles.
• Johan Cruyff, Michel Platini, Marco van Basten: 3 titles each.

2025 Ballon d'Or

The 2025 winner will be announced on September 22, 2025, in Paris. Contenders include Kylian Mbappe, Lautaro Martinez, and Mohamed Salah.

Additional Awards

• Kopa Trophy: Best player under 21.
• Yashin Trophy: Best goalkeeper.
• Coach of the Year: Best manager.
• Club of the Year: Best team.

Conclusion

The Ballon d'Or remains a symbol of individual excellence in football, despite its controversies. It continues to spark debates and celebrate the sport's greatest talents.