Ballon d’Or Explained: A Deep Dive into Football’s Premier Individual Prize

The Ballon d’Or is a highly esteemed award in the realm of football, given yearly to the most outstanding male and female players. Initiated in 1956 by France Football, the award considers performances from the previous season. The ‘Golden Ball’ signifies more than just goals; it evaluates a player’s teamwork, consistency, conduct, influence in significant games, and leadership. Co-organized by UEDA and Groupe Amaury since 2024, the award’s outcome is decided by votes from international journalists. Lionel Messi has won this prestigious award eight times, more than any other player. Cristiano Ronaldo follows with five wins, and Michel Platini, Johan Cruyff, and Marco van Basten each have three wins. The upcoming Ballon d’Or ceremony is scheduled for September 23rd, 2025, at the Theatre du Chatelet in Paris, with many stars in contention.