Ballon d’Or vs FIFA World Player of the Year Award
this golden globe award and FIFA The World Player of the Year awards are two of the most prestigious individual honors in football, but they have different origins, voting processes and affiliations.
Here’s a breakdown of the main differences between the two:
Origin and history
Golden Globe Awards:
- Founded in 1956 by French magazine
french football The Ballon d’Or was originally awarded to the best player in Europe, but was later expanded to include players of any nationality playing in Europe (1995) and globally (2007). - From 2010 to 2015, the award was merged with the FIFA Player of the Year Award to form the FIFA Ballon d’Or, but the partnership ended in 2016 and the Ballon d’Or returned to be awarded by France Football.
FIFA World Player of the Year:
- The award was launched in 1991 by FIFA, world football’s governing body, to recognize the best male athletes in global football.
- In 2016, after the Ballon d’Or partnership ended, FIFA renamed its award
FIFA Best Men’s Player Award running separately from the Golden Globes.
Voting process
balloonGold Award:
- The winners are selected by an international jury of journalists from different countries (top 100 men, top 50 women). Each reporter submits a list of the top five players and points are awarded based on ranking.
- Starting in 2022, the Ballon d’Or will be awarded based on a player’s performance during the European football season (August to July) rather than the calendar year.
FIFA Best Men’s Player Award:
- The award involves a wider voting base, with votes coming from national team coaches, captains, journalists and fans. Fans vote through the online platform and contribute to the overall outcome.
- FIFA’s awards also take into account performance during the calendar year (January to December).
Affiliation
- Golden Globe Awards: It is hosted by the French Football Association and is independent of FIFA, but it still has important influence and prestige in world football.
- FIFA World Player of the Year Award/FIFA Best Men’s Player: It is operated by and officially endorsed and supported by FIFA, the global governing body of football.
Award criteria
- Golden Globe Awards: Players are evaluated on their individual performance, team success, talent and sportsmanship throughout the season. There is also a focus on a player’s overall career achievements.
- FIFA Best Men’s Player Award: Focus on performance and contribution throughout the year, but also consider team success, individual talent and fair play.
Women’s Awards
The Women’s Ballon d’Or (introduced in 2018) and the FIFA Best Women’s Player Award both recognize the world’s top female footballers, but follow similar distinctions as their male counterparts.
