Who awards the Ballon d'Or, how does voting work, and what are the criteria? A simple guide to football's most famous individual prize.
The Ballon d'Or is an annual award for the best footballer in the world, organized by the French magazine France Football since 1956. It is the most iconic individual prize, and every player dreams of it.
Who votes?
A panel of specialist journalists representing dozens of countries votes. Each journalist submits a ranked list of the best players, and points are totaled to decide the winner. This geographic spread aims to make the vote fairer and more representative.
What are the criteria?
The award is based mainly on individual performance and the season's achievements (team trophies), with fair play and overall career also considered. Numbers matter, but decisive moments and titles tip the scales.
Related awards
The Ballon d'Or ceremony also hands out the Kopa Trophy for the best young player, the Yashin Trophy for the best goalkeeper, and the women's Ballon d'Or. It's a full celebration of the game's talent.
Why is it debated every year?
Because "the best" is relative: the top scorer? The winner of the biggest title? The most influential in their team? That debate is part of the prize's magic. Follow nominee news and star performances weekly on Shahid Live.
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