Ballon d’Or: The Crown Jewel of Football

Introduction

The Ballon d’Or (French for “Golden Ball”) is widely considered the most prestigious individual award in football. Presented annually by the French news magazine France Football, it recognizes the best male footballer in the world. The award has become the ultimate recognition of talent, consistency, and excellence in the sport. It is often described as the “crown jewel” of football because it symbolizes being the best player in the world.

Unlike many awards that focus solely on goals or assists, the Ballon d’Or is based on a player’s overall performance over the preceding season, including their club and national team achievements, as well as their individual talent and sportsmanship. Winning this award places a player among the pantheon of the sport’s all-time greats.

A Brief History and Its Evolution

The idea for the Ballon d’Or came from France Football journalist Gabriel Hanot, who proposed an award to honor the best European player each year. In 1956, the first Ballon d’Or was awarded to Stanley Matthews of Blackpool (England).

Initially, the Ballon d’Or was a relatively niche award, given only to European players competing for European clubs. This meant that legendary players like Pelé and Diego Maradona were ineligible for much of their careers, despite being widely considered the best in the world.

A significant change came in 1995, when the rules were altered to allow any player of any nationality to win, as long as they played for a European club. This immediately expanded the award’s scope and was reflected in the very next year, when Liberia’s George Weah became the first non-European player to win the award. The eligibility criteria was broadened even further in 2007 to include all professional footballers from around the globe, regardless of which league they play in.

Key Developments and Controversies

Over the years, the Ballon d’Or has undergone several changes that have shaped its identity and led to moments of both collaboration and controversy:

The FIFA Years (2010–2015): In 2010, the award merged with the FIFA World Player of the Year to create the FIFA Ballon d’Or. This period saw an expanded voting system that included national team captains and coaches, as well as football journalists. While the award gained global recognition, it also faced criticism for becoming too focused on player popularity rather than pure performance. This era was dominated by the legendary rivalry between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, who won every edition of the combined award.

The Split (2016 onwards): The partnership with FIFA ended in 2016, and the Ballon d’Or returned to its original format, with voting exclusively conducted by a select group of international football journalists. This move was widely seen as a return to the award’s roots, with a focus on more expert-driven analysis. The voting criteria were also refined to place a greater emphasis on individual performance and a player’s overall impact.

Annual vs. Seasonal Award: Another major change was the shift from a calendar year (January-December) to a seasonal format (August-July) in 2022. This was done to align the award with the football season, making it easier for voters to assess a player’s performance within a single campaign and for the award to be given before the next season begins. This change also introduced a new award, the Socrates Award, for players who engage in humanitarian work.

Early Years

• Initially, the award was limited to European players playing in Europe.
• Famous winners in this period include Alfredo Di Stéfano, Johan Cruyff, and Michel Platini.

Global Expansion

• In 1995, the rules changed to allow non-European players in Europe to compete. This opened the door for legends like George Weah (the first African winner in 1995).
• In 2007, the award became truly global, allowing players from any continent and any league to win.

The FIFA Era

• Between 2010 and 2015, the Ballon d’Or merged with the FIFA World Player of the Year award to form the FIFA Ballon d’Or.
• This partnership ended in 2016, and France Football took back full control of the award.

Developments and Modern Era

Over the years, the Ballon d’Or has evolved:

• Voting System: Initially, only European journalists voted. Today, journalists from around the world participate.
• Categories:

1. In 2018, a separate Ballon d’Or Féminin was introduced for the best female player.
2. Awards for the best young player (Kopa Trophy) and the best goalkeeper (Yashin Trophy) have also been added.

• Dominance of Players: The 21st century has been defined by the rivalry of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, who have won the award multiple times, raising its global profile.
• Cultural Impact: Winning the Ballon d’Or often cements a player’s legacy as one of the greatest in football history.

Recent Developments

• The award now considers the football season (August–July) instead of the calendar year, making it more aligned with competitions like the Champions League.
• The rise of women’s football has made the Ballon d’Or Féminin an equally prestigious recognition.
• Modern winners are celebrated worldwide through televised ceremonies, global media coverage, and social media engagement.

Conclusion

The Ballon d’Or is more than just a trophy; it is a symbol of excellence and the highest honor a footballer can achieve. From Stanley Matthews in 1956 to Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, and recent stars like Karim Benzema, the award has highlighted the players who define their generations. As football continues to evolve, the Ballon d’Or will remain the shining emblem of individual brilliance in the world’s most beloved sport.

Ballon d’Or Winners (Decade by Decade)

1950s

1956 – Stanley Matthews (England, Blackpool)
1957 – Alfredo Di Stéfano (Spain, Real Madrid)
1958 – Raymond Kopa (France, Real Madrid)
1959 – Alfredo Di Stéfano (Spain, Real Madrid)

1960s

1960 – Luis Suárez (Spain, Barcelona)
1961 – Omar Sivori (Italy, Juventus)
1962 – Josef Masopust (Czechoslovakia, Dukla Prague)
1963 – Lev Yashin (USSR, Dynamo Moscow) – Only goalkeeper to ever win
1964 – Denis Law (Scotland, Manchester United)
1965 – Eusébio (Portugal, Benfica)
1966 – Bobby Charlton (England, Manchester United)
1967 – Flórián Albert (Hungary, Ferencváros)
1968 – George Best (Northern Ireland, Manchester United)
1969 – Gianni Rivera (Italy, AC Milan)

1970s

1970 – Gerd Müller (Germany, Bayern Munich)
1971 – Johan Cruyff (Netherlands, Ajax)
1972 – Franz Beckenbauer (Germany, Bayern Munich)
1973 – Johan Cruyff (Netherlands, Barcelona)
1974 – Johan Cruyff (Netherlands, Barcelona)
1975 – Oleg Blokhin (USSR, Dynamo Kyiv)
1976 – Franz Beckenbauer (Germany, Bayern Munich)
1977 – Allan Simonsen (Denmark, Borussia Mönchengladbach)
1978 – Kevin Keegan (England, Hamburg)
1979 – Kevin Keegan (England, Hamburg)

1980s

1980 – Karl-Heinz Rummenigge (Germany, Bayern Munich)
1981 – Karl-Heinz Rummenigge (Germany, Bayern Munich)
1982 – Paolo Rossi (Italy, Juventus)
1983 – Michel Platini (France, Juventus)
1984 – Michel Platini (France, Juventus)
1985 – Michel Platini (France, Juventus)
1986 – Igor Belanov (USSR, Dynamo Kyiv)
1987 – Ruud Gullit (Netherlands, AC Milan)
1988 – Marco van Basten (Netherlands, AC Milan)
1989 – Marco van Basten (Netherlands, AC Milan)

1990s

1990 – Lothar Matthäus (Germany, Inter Milan)
1991 – Jean-Pierre Papin (France, Marseille)
1992 – Marco van Basten (Netherlands, AC Milan)
1993 – Roberto Baggio (Italy, Juventus)
1994 – Hristo Stoichkov (Bulgaria, Barcelona)
1995 – George Weah (Liberia, AC Milan) – First non-European winner
1996 – Matthias Sammer (Germany, Borussia Dortmund)
1997 – Ronaldo Nazário (Brazil, Inter Milan)
1998 – Zinedine Zidane (France, Juventus)
1999 – Rivaldo (Brazil, Barcelona)

2000s

2000 – Luís Figo (Portugal, Real Madrid)
2001 – Michael Owen (England, Liverpool)
2002 – Ronaldo Nazário (Brazil, Real Madrid)
2003 – Pavel Nedvěd (Czech Republic, Juventus)
2004 – Andriy Shevchenko (Ukraine, AC Milan)
2005 – Ronaldinho (Brazil, Barcelona)
2006 – Fabio Cannavaro (Italy, Real Madrid)
2007 – Kaká (Brazil, AC Milan)
2008 – Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal, Manchester United)
2009 – Lionel Messi (Argentina, Barcelona)

2010s

2010 – Lionel Messi (Argentina, Barcelona)
2011 – Lionel Messi (Argentina, Barcelona)
2012 – Lionel Messi (Argentina, Barcelona)
2013 – Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal, Real Madrid)
2014 – Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal, Real Madrid)
2015 – Lionel Messi (Argentina, Barcelona)
2016 – Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal, Real Madrid)
2017 – Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal, Real Madrid)
2018 – Luka Modrić (Croatia, Real Madrid)
2019 – Lionel Messi (Argentina, Barcelona)

2020s

2020 – Award cancelled due to COVID-19
2021 – Lionel Messi (Argentina, PSG)
2022 – Karim Benzema (France, Real Madrid)
2023 – Lionel Messi (Argentina, Inter Miami / PSG)
2024 – Rodri (Spain, Manchester City)
2025 – Ousmane Dembélé (France, PSG)

Short Q&A on Ballon d’Or

General Understanding

Q: What is the Ballon d’Or?
A: It is an annual football award given to the best male player in the world, based on performances in the previous calendar year.

Q: Who presents the Ballon d’Or?
A: The French magazine France Football.

Q: When was the Ballon d’Or first introduced?
A: In 1956.

Q: Who was the first winner of the Ballon d’Or?
A: Stanley Matthews of England (Blackpool).

Q: What does “Ballon d’Or” mean in English?
A: “Golden Ball”.

History & Evolution

Q: Initially, who were eligible for the award?
A: Only European players playing in Europe.

Q: When was the award opened to all nationalities playing in Europe?
A: In 1995.

Q: Who was the first non-European player to win the Ballon d’Or?
A: George Weah (Liberia) in 1995.

Q: When did the Ballon d’Or become a global award (open to all players worldwide)?
A: In 2007.

Q: Who merged the Ballon d’Or with FIFA World Player of the Year, and when?
A: FIFA and France Football merged them in 2010, creating the FIFA Ballon d’Or.

Q: When did the Ballon d’Or separate from FIFA again?
A: In 2016.

Records & Achievements

Q: Who has won the most Ballon d’Or awards?
A: Lionel Messi (8 times, as of 2023).

Q: Who is second with the most Ballon d’Or wins?
A: Cristiano Ronaldo (5 times).

Q: Who is the only goalkeeper to win the Ballon d’Or?
A: Lev Yashin (USSR, 1963).

Q: Which defender was the last to win the Ballon d’Or?
A: Fabio Cannavaro (Italy, 2006).

Q: Which African player has won the Ballon d’Or?
A: George Weah (Liberia, 1995).

Q: Who won the Ballon d’Or in 2023?
A: Lionel Messi (after leading Argentina to World Cup 2022 victory).

Q: Who won the Ballon d’Or in 2022?
A: Karim Benzema (France, Real Madrid).

Q: Why was there no Ballon d’Or awarded in 2020?
A: It was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Fun Facts & Developments

Q: Which club’s players have won the most Ballon d’Or awards?
A: Real Madrid and Barcelona dominate the list.

Q: Who was the youngest Ballon d’Or winner?
A: Ronaldo Nazário (Brazil) in 1997 at age 21.

Q: Who was the oldest Ballon d’Or winner?
A: Stanley Matthews in 1956 at age 41.

Q: Which midfielder broke Messi-Ronaldo’s dominance in 2018?
A: Luka Modrić (Croatia, Real Madrid).

Q: How many times did Johan Cruyff win the Ballon d’Or?
A: 3 times (1971, 1973, 1974).

Q: How many times did Michel Platini win it consecutively?
A: 3 times in a row (1983, 1984, 1985).

Q: Which country has produced the most Ballon d’Or winners?
A: Germany and Netherlands (7 each), followed by Argentina.

Q: Which position (forward, midfielder, defender, goalkeeper) wins the Ballon d’Or most often?
A: Forwards dominate the list.

Q: Who was the last English player to win the Ballon d’Or?
A: Michael Owen (Liverpool, 2001).

Q: Who was the first South American player to win the Ballon d’Or?
A: Ronaldo Nazário (Brazil, 1997).

Q: Is there a Ballon d’Or Féminin (Women’s Ballon d’Or)?
A: Yes, introduced in 2018 (first winner: Ada Hegerberg, Norway).