Football Ballon d’Or refers to the annual association football award presented to the best men’s player in the world. Otherwise known as the Golden Ball, this award is presented by France Football, a French news magazine. The awarding of football players is considered one of the oldest and most prestigious awards given to a player.
History of Ballon d’Or
Originally, the award was known European Footballer of the Year. It is was awarded to players from Europe. In 2007, the award merged with FIFA’s World Player award, establishing its new worldwide claim. However, despite the merging of the two awards, most recipients are from Europe. The first non-European Ballon d’Or award was given to George Weah, an African recipient, playing for Milan in 1995. Two years later, this was followed by Ronaldo of Internazionale.From 1972 until 1988, players from Germany and the Netherlands dominated the top three spots for Ballon d’Or. The Italian clubs, from 1988 until 1990. It was not until 2009 to 20012, 2015, and 2016 that Spanish clubs dominated the three top players spot. These Spanish clubs are Real Madrid and Barcelona. They are leading the rank for having the most winners of the awards, with Barcelona, 12, and Real Madrid has 11 wins.
In 2016, the partnership between the two awards ended. FIFA now has its own annual award, which is The Best FIFFA Men’s Players. Winners of the joint FIFA Ballon d’Or are considered champions of both awarding organizations.
Winners of Ballon d’Or
Lionel Messi of Barcelona has the most number of Ballon d'Or awards with 6 awards, while Cristiano Ronaldo has 5 wins. Johan Cruyff of Ajax, Marco van Basten of Milan, and Michel Platini of Juventus have a total of three awards each.The wins by country are dominated by Germany, Netherlands, and Portugal, having 7 wins. France and Argentina have 6 wins, while Italy and Brazil have 5 wins.
Most wins by football clubs are from Barcelona with 12, and Real Madrid has 11 wins. Juventus and Milan have 8 wins. Bayern Munich has 5 wins, and Manchester United has 4 wins.
Some players that won Ballon d’Or awards also won the FIFA World Player of the Year or The Best FIFA Men’s Player award at the same time.