The Ballon d’Or has spent nearly seven decades measuring football greatness, with its winners ranging from pioneering legends such as Stanley Matthews and Alfredo Di Stefano to modern icons Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Presented by France Football since 1956, the award is widely regarded as the most prestigious individual honor in men’s football. Its scope has changed significantly over the years. It initially recognized the best European player, before eligibility was expanded in 1995 to players of any nationality playing for European clubs and then opened globally in 2007.
The award was temporarily merged with the FIFA World Player of the Year between 2010 and 2015, creating the FIFA Ballon d’Or. France Football resumed sole presentation of the award in 2016. No award was given in 2020 after the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the football calendar.
The Ballon d'Or award in Boulogne-Billancourt, Paris, France, July 17, 2020. (AP Photo)
Since 2022, the award has assessed performances primarily over a football season rather than a calendar year. UEFA and the Amaury Group, which owns France Football and L’equipe, have co-organized the ceremony since 2024, while France Football has retained control of the voting system.
