The Ballon d’Or is one of the most prestigious individual awards in football, presented annually by France Football to the best male and female players in the world. The award, first introduced in 1956, has become a symbol of footballing excellence, with its history featuring many of the sport’s greatest names.
The Ballon d’Or Origins and History
The Ballon d’Or was originally conceived by sports journalist Gabriel Hanot, who asked his colleagues to vote for the best European player. Initially, it was only open to European players playing in European clubs, but in 1995 the criteria expanded to include players from any nationality as long as they played for European clubs. In 2007, it became a global award, allowing players from any country and league to be eligible.
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