The Ballon d'Or is an annual football award presented by France Football magazine since 1956. It is considered one of the most prestigious individual awards in the sport of football and is awarded to the best male football player in the world, as voted by a panel of international journalists.
The Ballon d'Or was initially created to reward the best European player, but in 1995 it was opened up to players from any nationality playing for a European club. Since 2007, the award has been opened to all players in the world, regardless of their league or nationality.
The award is named after the French word for "golden ball" and is made of brass, coated in gold. It is awarded to the player who receives the most votes from the international panel of journalists, with each journalist selecting their top five players.
The criteria for the award are primarily based on individual performance, but team success and sportsmanship are also taken into account. The winner is announced in December of each year, with a ceremony held in Paris.
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Over the years, many footballing legends have won the Ballon d'Or, including Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Johan Cruyff, Michel Platini, Marco van Basten, and Alfredo Di Stefano, among others.
The Ballon d'Or has also undergone several changes in its history. From 2010 to 2015, the Ballon d'Or was merged with FIFA's World Player of the Year award to create the FIFA Ballon d'Or. However, this partnership ended in 2016, and the Ballon d'Or reverted to its original format.
In recent years, the Ballon d'Or has sparked debate and controversy among football fans and experts. Many argue that the award is biased towards attacking players, with defenders and goalkeepers often overlooked. Others argue that the award is too heavily influenced by team success, with players from successful clubs more likely to win.
Despite the criticism, the Ballon d'Or remains one of the most highly anticipated events in the football calendar, with fans and experts eagerly anticipating the announcement of the winner each year.
In conclusion, the Ballon d'Or is a highly prestigious individual football award presented annually by France Football magazine to the best male football player in the world. The award is based on individual performance, team success, and sportsmanship, and is voted on by an international panel of journalists. While it has undergone changes over the years and has sparked debate and controversy, it remains one of the most anticipated events in the football calendar and continues to honor the game's greatest players.
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