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There are few more prestigious honours in the world of football than winning the Ballon d'Or. Only stars that have won the accolade can claim that they are one of the best player who ever played, which means that some legendary star have picked up the award since its inception in 1956.
However, if you are looking to learn more about the prestigious honour, and how the voting works then you're in the right place. You can also find out more about the factors that are taken into consideration when it comes to Ballon d'Or winners here.
Who Determines The Ballon d'or Winner?
The voting for the Ballon d'Or has changed on a number of occasions throughout its esteemed history. It was first awarded to honour the outstanding male player in 1956, with the awarded conceived by footballer writers Jacques Ferran and Gabriel Hanot.Between its inception and 2006, the only votes were cast by football journalists from around the world, which each getting just one vote. However, this was changed in 2007, as the captain and manager of each national team were able to cast votes when it comes to the Ballon d'Or.
Famous Ballon d'Or Winners
There have been some legendary winners of the award throughout its history. The first ever winner of the Ballon d'Or was Stanley Matthews, as the Englishman picked up the award in 19576. However, the most successful player in the history of the award is Lionel Messi, who has won the top prize on seven separate occasions. Meanwhile, Cristiano Ronaldo, who has been linked with a move away from Manchester United, is the second most successful player with five victories.Three players have won the award on three separate occasions, and those are Marco van Basten, Johan Cruyff and Michel Platini. Overall, the most successful nations in the history of the award are Argentina, Portugal, Germany and the Netherlands, with each having seven wins. However, Barcelona is the most successful club in Ballon d'Or history, with the Catalonian club having the winner of the award on 13 occasions.
What Factors Are Taken Into Consideration?
Those voting for the Ballon d'Or will need to take a number of factors into consideration before casting their vote on the player that they believe should win the honour. But, what are some of the factors that voters must carefully consider before placing their vote on the outright winner?On-Field Performances
The most important factor that is considered when voting on the Ballon d'Or is the performances of the nominated players throughout the season. Players that have enjoyed high-scoring seasons and have contributed heavily towards the success that their team has enjoyed are likely to be among the leading contenders.That means it is no surprise that Karim Benzema is the clear favourite to win the award in 2023, as the Frenchman enjoyed a career-best campaign as he led Real Madrid to La Liga and Champions League success.
Off-Field Behaviour
While the Ballor d'Or is awarded to the best footballer on the planet, many voters also consider the roles that the nominated players have overseen away from the sport. Those that have helped to further the reputation of the sport through charity work and working with local communities will also be seen more favourable than those that are making headlines for the wrong reasons.That was evident when it came to handing out the award a number of years ago. Luis Suarez was one of the front-runners to win the top prize, but the allegations of racist abuse and the Uruguayan biting an opponent both were factors that went against him in the vote.
Do International Performances Get Taken Into Account?
Years where there are World Cups, European Championships and Copa Americas are always more interesting. This is down to votes having to take into consideration the performances of players for both club and country before making their decision on who the best player in the world over the calendar year has been.Significant performances leading to international glory always get seen in a positive light by voters, which means a star player in a World Cup-winning team will often be seen by many around the world as the favourite to win the Ballon d'Or at the end of the year.
