The Ballon d’Or ceremony is on Monday, and this year’s competition is intense. Many top players have strong chances of winning this prestigious award. France Football has shared the criteria that will be used to choose the winner.
Vincent Garcia, editor-in-chief of France Football, revealed that anticipation is high. He noted, “I am the only person who knows the winner of the Ballon d’Or. The criteria for this award include: individual performance, key moments, titles won, fair play, and conduct both on and off the pitch,” in an interview with Telefoot.
Garcia pointed out that the award is not solely based on stats; it also considers a player’s influence in crucial matches and their overall professional image.
He also highlighted a notable change this year: the winner will not be informed in advance. In previous years, players were told days before, leading to leaks.
Rodri, last Ballon d’Or winner.
Voting Process Overview
In total, 100 journalists from the top 100 FIFA-ranked countries vote for the winner, as well as for the Yashin Trophy (best goalkeeper). Meanwhile, the Kopa Trophy (best young player) is determined solely by living Ballon d’Or winners.
The process begins with journalists from L’Équipe and France Football nominating 30 players they believe deserve the award. For the women’s Ballon d’Or, 20 players are nominated, while the Yashin and Kopa Trophies each have 10 candidates.
A significant update since the 2022 edition is the consideration timeline. Before 2021, performances were assessed over a calendar year. Now, starting in 2022, the award covers the season from July 1, 2024, to June 30, 2025.
Key Candidates
This year’s Ballon d’Or is likely to be a close race among three players. Barcelona has two standout contenders, Lamine Yamal and Raphinha, who had excellent seasons despite not winning the Champions League. Meanwhile, Ousmane Dembele led PSG, which is seen as the top team in Europe this past season. Additionally, Real Madrid’s Kylian Mbappe could surprise voters with his individual success.