The Ballon d'Or, also known as the Golden Ball, is an award presented to the best male football player in the world. It is considered one of the highest honors in the sport and has a rich history dating back to 1956. In this article, we will explore the origin and criteria of the Ballon d'Or.
The Ballon d'Or was first introduced by the French magazine France Football. The initial purpose of the award was to recognize and celebrate the achievements of European players. In 1956, a panel of journalists from various countries was established to vote for the best European player of the year. The inaugural winner was Stanley Matthews, an English footballer who played for Blackpool.
In the early years, the Ballon d'Or was exclusively awarded to European players. However, in 1995, the eligibility criteria were expanded to include players from any nationalities who were playing for a club in Europe. This change opened up the award to talent from all over the world and further elevated its prestige.
For many years, there were two separate awards for the best football player in the world - the Ballon d'Or and the FIFA World Player of the Year. This situation changed in 2010 when the two awards were merged to form the FIFA Ballon d'Or. The collaboration between France Football and FIFA aimed to create a single, unified recognition for the best player in the world.
In 2016, France Football decided to end their partnership with FIFA and reintroduced the independent Ballon d'Or. The decision was made to regain complete control over the award and its selection criteria. Since then, only the votes from a panel of international journalists are considered in the determination of the winner.
The Ballon d'Or winner is selected based on a combination of individual skill, team success, and overall achievements throughout the calendar year. The criteria include performance in domestic leagues, continental club competitions such as the UEFA Champions League, and international tournaments like the FIFA World Cup or the UEFA European Championship. The final decision is made by the votes from a group of international journalists, who consider factors such as technical skills, impact on team success, fair play, and sportsmanship.
In conclusion, the Ballon d'Or is a prestigious award that recognizes the best male football player in the world. From its humble beginnings in 1956, the award has evolved and expanded to include players from all nationalities and clubs in Europe. Although it briefly merged with the FIFA World Player of the Year, the Ballon d'Or is now an independent accolade. The winner is determined based on a variety of criteria, highlighting both individual skill and team achievements. The Ballon d'Or continues to capture the attention of football enthusiasts and remains a symbol of excellence in the sport.