FIFA Ballon d’Or award
is the highest level of individual award in football and it is awarded to the
best player in the world every year. The history about the current Ballon d’Or
award is a bit complex so let’s explain it briefly. Ballon d’Or award started
back in 1956 and it was known as “European Player Of the year award” and only
the players from Europe were eligible for this award. But In 1995 the rules
were changed and any player playing for European club could win it. But in 2009
it was merged with “FIFA’s player of the year award” and became FIFA Ballon
d’or which any footballer from any part of the world can win it. Jury &
Selection Process: Since 2009 when both Ballon d’Or and FIFA Player of the year
award were merged the selection process also disclosed to public. All national
team captains and Coaches plus 1 specialist journalists from every country can
vote for the nominees. They get a draft where they have to pick three players
in descending order and when the drafts are return FIFA calculate points
account to following criteria. 1 position pick is awarded 5 points, second pick
is 3 and third pick gets 1 point. So around 500 voters (170 national team
captain, 170 national coaches and around 170 journalists) choices are counted
and the player with most points gets the Ballon Dor award.
Now let’s take a look
at the all past winners of Ballon d’Or (now FIFA Ballon d’Or) award. From 1956
only European players were eligible but in 1995 any nationality player playing
for a European club was eligible.
