The Ballon d’Or has a narrow definition of footballing greatness
Summary
The article argues that the Ballon d’Or’s focus on star power has obscured questions about how to judge individual excellence in a team sport. It says the award has favored attackers and European football, while commercial marketing has made players’ individual brands more prominent.Key Facts
- Harry Kane is described as the first Englishman to win the award since Michael Owen in 2001.
- Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo won 13 of the 17 Ballon d’Or awards presented between 2008 and 2025.
- The Ballon d’Or was first presented in 1956, with England’s Stanley Matthews as its inaugural winner.
- The article says commercial marketing has helped players build profiles and fan bases independent of their clubs.
- Lev Yashin, who won in 1963, is the only goalkeeper to have won the award.
- Fabio Cannavaro was the last defender to win the award, in 2006, after captaining Italy to a World Cup title.
- For nearly four decades, only European players could win the award; in 1995, eligibility expanded to players of any nationality at European clubs.
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