List Of Ballon d’Or Winners Since 1956 To 2022

FIFA Ballon d’Or award is the highest level of individual award in football and it is awarded to the best player in the world every year. The history about the current Ballon d’Or award is a bit complex so lets explain it briefly. Ballon d’Or award started back in 1956 and it was known as “European Player Of the year award” and only the players from europe were eligible for this award. But In 1995 the rules were changed and any player playing for European club could win it. But in 2009 it was merged with “FIFA’s player of the year award” and became FIFA Ballon d’or which any footballer from any part of the world can win it.

Update: Lionel Messi has won the 2019 Ballon d’Or award which is his sixth of the career taking him top of the all-time ballon d’or charts. Thats one more than his nearest rival Cristiano Ronaldo who have 5 to his name.

Now lets take a look at the all past winners of Ballon d’Or (now FIFA Ballon d’Or) award. From 1956 only european players were eligible but in 1995 any nationality player playing for a european club was eligible.

Jury & Selection Process: Since 2009 when both Ballon d’Or and FIFA Player of the year award were merged the selection process also disclosed to public. All national team captains and Coaches plus 1 specialist journalists from every country can vote for the nominees. The get a draft where they have to pick three players in decending order and when the drafts are return FIFA calculate points account to following criteria. 1 position pick is awarded 5 points, second pick is 3 and third pick gets 1 point. So around 500 voters (170 national team captain, 170 national coaches and around 170 journalists) choices are counted and the player with most points get the Ballon Dor award.