The Ballon d'Or is an annual football award presented to the best men's player in the world as judged by a panel of international journalists. The award was first presented in 1956 by the French magazine France Football, and it is considered to be the most prestigious individual award in football.
The Ballon d'Or is awarded based on a player's individual and collective performances during the previous calendar year. Players are awarded points based on their votes, and the player with the most points is named the winner.
The current holder of the Raphael Varane: The French Colossus Who is Set to Rebuild Manchester United's Defense d'Or is Lionel Messi, who has won the award a record seven times. Other notable winners of the Ballon d'Or include Cristiano Ronaldo, Johan Cruyff, Pelé, and Diego Maradona.
The Ballon d'Or has been criticized in recent years for its perceived bias towards European players. In 2018, the award was not given to any player, as the panel of judges felt that no player had stood out enough to deserve the award.
Despite its critics, the Ballon d'Or remains the most coveted individual award in football. It is a testament to the individual and collective brilliance of the players who have won it.
Here are some of the key factors that are considered when voting for the Ballon d'Or:
- Individual performances: This includes a player's goals, assists, and other statistical contributions.
- Collective performances: This includes a player's team's success, such as winning trophies or qualifying for European competitions.
- Impact on the game: This includes a player's ability to change the course of a game or inspire their team to victory.
- Class and fair play: This includes a player's behavior on and off the field.
The Ballon d'Or is a highly contested award, and there is often much debate about who should win it. However, it remains the ultimate recognition of a player's individual and collective brilliance.
