France Football has weighed in on the long-held belief that Ballon d’Or winners must play for European clubs, as debate intensifies during the knockout stage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The Ballon d’Or, football’s most prestigious individual award, has historically been won predominantly by players representing clubs in Europe’s top leagues, including PSG’s Ousmane Dembélé in 2025 and Manchester City’s Rodri in 2024.
This has reinforced the perception that playing in Europe is essential to claim the prize.
However, in a statement posted on its official X handle on Sunday, the organiser said the Ballon d’Or has had no restriction on a player’s club affiliation since 2007, stressing that the award is presented to “the best player in the world, full stop.”
The clarification comes as discussions over this year’s Ballon d’Or favourite gather momentum alongside the closing stages of the World Cup.
