The Ballon d'Or, the most prestigious individual prize in football, is awarded annually by France Football magazine to the player perceived to be the best in the world. The winner is chosen through a dual system of voting. Firstly, journalists from France Football and fellow French publication L'Equipe work together to produce a combined list of 30 official nominees, based on players' performances in the previous season. This initial selection process sometimes also includes a small number of former players. Then, one football journalist from each of the top 100 Fifa-ranked nations is invited to cast votes for their top 10 players in order from that shortlist. The 10 players are awarded 15, 12, 10, 8, 7, 5, 4, 3, 2, and 1 point based on ranking. Once all journalists have submitted their top 10s, points are tallied and the winner of the Ballon d'Or is the player who accrued the most points in the voting, while the rest are ranked from second to 30th. If players are tied on points, they are separated by the number of first place votes they received. If they are still level, the number of second place votes are used, and so on. Journalists taking part in the vote are encouraged to consider three factors: Individual performances, decisive and impressive character Team performances and achievements Class and fair play The way in which the Ballon d'Or is awarded has changed significantly since it was first created in 1956. Until 1995, only European footballers were eligible for the award. Then, for the next 12 years, players of any origin playing for a club in Europe were eligible. Only from 2007 onwards have all players worldwide been included. Between 2007 and 2015, the captain and manager of each Fifa-recognised international team was invited to participate in the final vote, but both prior to that period and since then, only journalists have contributed. From 2010 to 2015, Fifa collaborated with France Football on the award, which was known as the Fifa Ballon d'Or. Fifa now give out their own separate prize, called the Fifa Best player award, but its lack of long-term history means the Ballon d'Or is generally considered more prestigious. Prior to 2022, voting was based on a player's performances over the course of a calendar year â comprising half of two separate seasons in most elite leagues â before being changed to encompass a single full season. The women's award, known as the Ballon d'or Feminine, was first created in 2018. It has been won twice by Spain internationals Aitana Bonmati and Alexia Putellas, as well as once each by Norway's Ada Hegerbeg and the USA's Megan Rapinoe. There is a slight nuance in the way the women's award is voted for - the same system of pre-selection followed by a jury of journalists is used, but only 50 journalists from the top-ranked nations are invited to take part, rather than 100. Manchester City midfielder Rodri is the current holder of the Ballon d'Or Having taken home the trophy eight times, Lionel Messi has won more the Ballon d'Or more often than any other player. Perennial rival Cristiano Ronaldo is second with five titles, while Johan Cruyff, Michel Platini and Marco van Basten won three each. Alfredo di Stefano, Franz Beckenbauer, Kevin Keegan, Karl-Heinz Rummenigge and Ronaldo Nazario â each with two - are the only others to have won the men's Ballon d'Or more than once. The awarding of the Ballon d'Or sometimes draws criticism from fans and pundits. In the past, complaints have focused on the fact that the award has historically favoured attacking midfielders and forwards over more defensive players. Only two centre-backs (Beckenbauer and Fabio Cannavaro) and one goalkeeper (Lev Yashin) have ever won the award. The jury's tendency to vote for players whose teams have won the biggest prizes in the game that year, like the World Cup and Champions League, has also caused controversy in the past. Some believe collective achievement should not impact voting, and that a player who has performed highly as an individual should not miss out because his team was less successful. Furthermore, the fact that the main award is voted form by journalists, rather than players, coaches, or ex-professionals, has occasionally led to criticism. Finally, for some fans, the concept of an individual award in a team sport renders the Ballon d'Or unimportant. Lionel Messi won his first Ballon d'Or in 2009 and his most recent in 2023 The 2025 Ballon d'Or winner will be announced on 22 September 2025 during a ceremony at the Theatre du Chatelet in central Paris. A variety of other awards are given out during the ceremony, including: The Kopa Trophy - awarded to the best player below the age of 2021, voting for this award is performed by previous Ballon d'Or winners based on a shortlist of 10. The Yashin Trophy â awarded to the best goalkeeper, voting for this award is performed by journalists based on a shortlist of 10. The Coach of the Year trophy - awarded to the best manager, voting for this award is performed by journalists based on a shortlist. The Club of the Year trophy - awarded to the best team, voting for this award is performed by journalists based on a shortlist. The following players are considered among the main contenders for the 2025 men's Ballon d'Or, based on their performances since 1 August 2024 with one more international window of fixtures and the Club World Cup before 31 July 2025. Ousmane Dembele (Paris St-Germain/France, forward, 28) Gianluigi Donnarumma (PSG/Italy, goalkeeper, 26) Desire Doue (PSG/France, forward, 19) Kvicha Kvaratskhelia (PSG/Georgia, forward, 24) Kylian Mbappe (Real Madrid/France, forward, 26) Lautaro Martinez (Inter/Argentina, forward, 27) Pedri (Barcelona, midfielder, 22) Raphinha (Barcelona/Brazil, forward, 28) Mohamed Salah (Liverpool/Egypt, forward, 32) Lamine Yamal (Barcelona/Spain, forward, 17) This article is the latest from BBC Sport'sAsk Me Anythingteam. Ask Me Anything is a service dedicated to answering your questions. We want to reward your time by telling you things you do not know and reminding you of things you do. The team explores everything you need to know and calls upon a network of contacts including our experts and pundits. We answer your questions from the heart of the BBC Sport newsroom, and go behind the scenes at some of the world's biggest sporting events. Our coverage spans the BBC Sport website, app, social media and YouTube accounts, plus BBC TV and radio. Why are 1bn euro release clauses becoming more common? When are the 2025-26 Premier League fixtures released? Who has qualified for the 2025-26 Champions League? Why are footballers allowed to chew gum? How are football league positions decided if teams are level on points?
How is the Ballon d'Or winner decided?
TruthLens AI Suggested Headline:
"Understanding the Selection Process for the Ballon d'Or Award"
Bbc News
8.2
TruthLens AI Summary
The Ballon d'Or, awarded annually by France Football, is recognized as the premier individual accolade in football, celebrating the player deemed the best in the world. The selection process begins with a collaborative effort between journalists from France Football and L'Equipe, who curate a shortlist of 30 official nominees based on player performances from the previous season. Following this, a journalist from each of the top 100 FIFA-ranked nations is invited to vote for their top ten players from the shortlist. Points are allocated according to their rankings, with the winner being the player who accumulates the most points. In the event of a tie, the number of first-place votes is considered, followed by second-place votes if necessary. The voting criteria emphasize individual performance, team achievements, and fair play, reflecting a holistic view of a player's contributions to the game.
Since its inception in 1956, the Ballon d'Or has evolved significantly. Initially, only European players were eligible for the award until 1995, and from 2007 onwards, players worldwide have been considered. The voting process has also undergone changes; for instance, from 2010 to 2015, FIFA collaborated with France Football to present the Fifa Ballon d'Or, but now, FIFA awards its own separate prize. The voting period was modified in 2022 to evaluate performances across a full season rather than a calendar year. The women's award, the Ballon d'Or Féminin, was introduced in 2018 and has seen notable winners. The current holder of the men's award is Manchester City midfielder Rodri, while Lionel Messi holds the record with eight titles. Despite its prestige, the Ballon d'Or has faced criticism for favoring attacking players and for its voting system, which some argue does not adequately reflect individual excellence in the team-oriented sport of football. The next winner will be announced on September 22, 2025, during a ceremony in Paris, alongside other awards recognizing outstanding performances in football.
TruthLens AI Analysis
The article provides an insightful overview of the Ballon d'Or selection process, detailing how the most prestigious individual award in football is determined. It outlines the voting system and the criteria considered by journalists, as well as the historical evolution of the award's eligibility criteria. This analysis will explore various aspects of the article, including its implications and the potential motivations behind its publication.
Purpose of the Article
The primary goal appears to be to inform readers about the complexities of the Ballon d'Or voting process and its historical context. By detailing the methodology behind the award, the article seeks to enhance the audience's understanding of how the best football player is determined each year.
Public Perception
This article likely aims to foster a sense of transparency and legitimacy around the Ballon d'Or award. By explaining the voting process and the involvement of international journalists, it may encourage readers to view the award as a fair assessment of talent. This can also shape public perception of the award as one that is credible and well-regulated.
Omissions and Hidden Agendas
While the article is primarily informative, it may downplay certain controversies surrounding the award, such as biases that may exist among journalists or the influence of nationalistic sentiments in voting. By focusing on a procedural overview, it does not delve into criticisms or debates regarding the fairness of the selection process, which could be seen as a limitation.
Manipulative Elements
The article does not appear to be overtly manipulative, as it primarily conveys factual information. However, there is a subtle implication that the voting system is without flaws, which could be misleading. It lacks critical analysis of the potential biases in the voting process, which could suggest an effort to maintain a positive image of the award.
Comparative Analysis
When compared to other sports awards, the Ballon d'Or's selection process is relatively unique due to the involvement of journalists worldwide. This article may serve to highlight the importance of media in sports, potentially connecting it to broader discussions about the role of journalism in society.
Impact on Society and Economy
The Ballon d'Or can influence the football industry significantly, affecting player marketability and club revenues. This award can drive fan engagement and sponsorships, making the implications of the article relevant to the economic landscape of football.
Target Audience
This article seems to cater to football fans, sports journalists, and those interested in the intricacies of sports awards. It may particularly resonate with individuals who value transparency in sports governance and awards.
Market Relevance
While the article may not have direct implications on stock markets, it could indirectly affect the business of football clubs and sponsors, particularly those linked with prominent players vying for the award.
Geopolitical Context
The article does not necessarily relate to current geopolitical issues but does reflect on the global nature of football, highlighting how players from various backgrounds can achieve recognition.
AI Influence
It is plausible that AI models were employed in drafting this article, as the structured and clear presentation of information aligns with capabilities of natural language processing models. However, the article maintains a neutral tone, suggesting minimal bias introduced by AI in its writing style.
Conclusion on Reliability
This article is largely reliable in terms of the information presented about the Ballon d'Or process. However, its lack of critical perspective on potential biases and its omission of controversies slightly diminishes its completeness and objectivity.