The Ballon d'Or, also known as the Golden Ball, is one of the most prestigious individual awards in the world of football. It is awarded annually by France Football magazine to the best male football player in the world, based on votes from a panel of international journalists.
The history of the Ballon d'Or dates back to 1956, when France Football magazine decided to create an award to honour the best European footballer of the year. At the time, only players playing in Europe were eligible for the award, which was decided by a panel of journalists from various European countries.
The inaugural winner of the Ballon d'Or was Stanley Matthews, a winger from England who played for Blackpool. Matthews beat out Alfredo Di Stefano of Real Madrid and Raymond Kopa of Reims for the award.
The Ballon d'Or quickly gained prestige and recognition throughout the world of football, and in 1995, the award was opened up to all players playing for clubs outside of Europe. The first non-European to win the Ballon d'Or was George Weah of AC Milan in 1995, who was also the first African player to win the award.
In 2007, the Ballon d'Or was merged with the FIFA World Player of the Year award to create the FIFA Ballon d'Or. The new award was voted on by national team coaches and captains, as well as journalists from around the world. The first winner of the FIFA Ballon d'Or was Kaka of AC Milan in 2007.
However, in 2016, FIFA ended its association with France Football magazine and reverted to its own award, called The Best FIFA Men's Player. Meanwhile, the Ballon d'Or continued to be awarded by France Football magazine, and now only journalists vote on the award.
Over the years, some of the greatest players in football history have won the Ballon d'Or, including Johan Cruyff, Michel Platini, Marco van Basten, Lionel Messi, and Cristiano Ronaldo. Messi has won the award a record seven times, while Ronaldo has won it five times.
In recent years, the Ballon d'Or has faced criticism for its lack of diversity in winners, with only two non-European players winning the award in the past 20 years. In response to this criticism, France Football magazine announced in 2018 that they would be introducing a new award, called the Ballon d'Or Féminin, to recognize the best female football player in the world.
Overall, the Ballon d'Or has a rich and storied history, and remains one of the most highly coveted individual awards in the world of football.
Top 3 Men candidates
Vinicius Junior
The Brazilian has really stepped up in recent years. After an unbelievable campaign last year with 26 goals, 12 assists. Won Champions League, La Liga & Supercopa de Espana. With his blistering pace, trickery and end product leaves defenders petrified. He has had a brilliant year with Madrid and still performed well on the international stage makes him one of the favourites for the prestige prize!
Rodri
The Spanish midfielder midfielders has been regarded as one of the best in his position in the world. After achieving 12 goals, 15 assists. Won Euro 2024, Premier League, Club World Cup & UEFA Super Cup. It has been an incredible achievement and Rodri has been influential for every cup success he has achieved.
Jude Bellingham
What more can he say about the young English superstar? He has had an incredible rise through the city of Birmingham to winning trophies for the Galaticos! 27 goals, 17 assists. Won Champions League, La Liga & Supercopa de Espana.
No doubt that Bellingham was the best footballer in the world during the first half of the 2023-24 season, Bellingham took to his new surroundings at Real Madrid. Not only did he score frequently, but he also netted hugely important goals too.
Top 3 Women’s candidates
Aitana Bonmati
Once again, Bonmati is the favourite for the Ballon d'or. With an eye watering 26 goals, 18 assists from midfield. Also winning the Champions League, Liga F, Copa de la Reina, Supercopa de Espana & Nations League. Bonmati, known for her incredible technical ability, steps up in the most important moments. Scoring important goals including the second leg against Chelsea to overturn a 1-0 deficit in the Champions League.
Caroline Graham Hansen
Hansen has been consistently one of the best players in the world scoring 33 goals, and assisting 26. Also winning the Champions League, Liga F, Copa de la Reina & Supercopa de Espana.
Why Graham Hansen wasn't nominated for any previous Ballons d’Or remains one of women’s football's biggest mysteries, but there was no way that she was going to be ignored this year. Hansen will with no doubt be in the top 3 for the next few years.
Salma Paralluelo
Paralluelo skyrocketed into stardom after last summer's World Cup earned her a Ballon d'or finish last year. This year she has out performed her breakout season, scoring 38 goals and assisting 13. Also winning the Champions League, Liga F, Copa de la Reina, Supercopa de Espana & Nations League. Paralluelo is an incredible talent and will undoubtedly be a ballon d'or winner in the future.
