Frank Christian
The Ballon d’Or prize is renowned as the most prestigious individual accolade in global soccer due to its rich history and esteemed status within the sport.
In the recent past, Lionel Messi has dominated the competition, securing an impressive eight titles and establishing himself as the most successful recipient of the Ballon d’Or.
Despite the emergence of various other accolades recognizing exceptional football performances, the Ballon d’Or has retained its position as the pinnacle award, especially as the era of Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo’s dominance of the trophy draws to a close.
Understanding the Ballon d’Or
The Ballon d’Or is an annual football award presented by the French magazine France Football to the player voted as the best in the world. Since 2024, the award has been jointly organized by the French publication and UEFA.
Over the years, the prize has undergone modifications from its inception in 1956, including a brief merger between 2010 and 2015 when it was known as the FIFA Ballon d’Or, as part of the combined FIFA World Player of the Year award.
Following the split in 2016, FIFA introduced The Best FIFA Football Awards as a competing ceremony, yet the Ballon d’Or has retained its premier status.
A key factor that sustains the Ballon d’Or as the most coveted award is its longstanding tradition and significance in football history, resonating with players and fans globally in a way that other awards cannot replicate.
Variants of the Ballon d’Or Awards
Aside from the main Ballon d’Or prize, France Football also presents additional awards during the ceremony, such as the Ballon d’Or Feminin (awarded to the top female player), the Kopa Trophy (for the best male player under 21), and the Yashin Trophy (honoring the best male goalkeeper).
Selection Process and Criteria
The voting for the men’s Ballon d’Or involves 180 journalists from around the globe, each representing a different nation. They are tasked with ranking their top five players from the 30-man shortlist in order of preference, with points awarded accordingly.
The winner is determined by the player with the highest total points, with precedence given to those with the most first-place votes in the event of a tie. Journalists are instructed to prioritize individual performances over team achievements in their assessments.
Most Decorated Ballon d’Or Winners
Several football legends have claimed the prestigious Ballon d’Or multiple times, with Lionel Messi leading the pack with eight wins. Cristiano Ronaldo follows closely with five victories, while other luminaries like Michel Platini and Johan Cruyff have also secured the award multiple times.
