The Ballon d’Or, widely regarded as the most prestigious individual accolade in football, celebrates the finest players and coaches in the world. Since its inception, the award has been a symbol of excellence in the sport, honoring players for their outstanding performances both on and off the pitch. In 2024, the Ballon d’Or continues to evolve with several new categories, expanding its reach and impact. This year marks the first time the awards are co-organized by UEFA and Groupe Amaury, the owner of France Football, adding further significance to the event.
A Brief Overview of the Ballon d’Or
The Ballon d’Or, which translates to “Golden Ball,” is awarded annually to the best male and female football players in the world. Since its creation in 1956, the award has been presented by France Football magazine, and over the years, it has become the ultimate recognition of a footballer’s individual and team achievements. For the 2024 edition, the awards cover performances during the football season from August of one year to August of the next, encompassing all major competitions, including the UEFA European Championship (EURO), Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), Copa América, and the Olympics.
The 2024 Ballon d’Or Categories
In 2024, the Ballon d’Or ceremony features eight distinct categories, making it one of the most comprehensive editions of the awards to date. In addition to the traditional Ballon d’Or for men and women, there are new awards for coaches, as well as specialized trophies like the Gerd Müller Award for the year’s top scorer and the Socrates Award for humanitarian efforts.
1. Men’s and Women’s Ballon d’Or
The men’s and women’s Ballon d’Or remains the centerpiece of the event. These awards are given to the best male and female players in the world, regardless of the league or nationality.
Criteria for the Ballon d’Or:
- Individual performances: The player’s ability to deliver decisive and impressive performances is key.
- Team achievements: The player’s contributions to team success are considered.
- Class and fair play: Players are judged on their overall sportsmanship and respect for the game.
The winners are chosen by an international jury of specialized football journalists. For the men’s award, journalists from the top 100 FIFA-ranked countries vote, while for the women’s award, the top 50 countries participate. The jurors rank ten players from a list of 30 nominees, awarding points based on their ranking. The player with the most points wins the Ballon d’Or.
2. Kopa Trophy
The Kopa Trophy is awarded to the best young player (under 21) of the year, without any restrictions on nationality or league. Named after Raymond Kopa, the first Frenchman to win the Ballon d’Or, this trophy has been given annually since 2018.
Criteria for the Kopa Trophy:
- Individual performances
- Team achievements
- Class and fair play
The Kopa Trophy winner is chosen by a grand jury composed exclusively of past Ballon d’Or winners. Each voter selects three players from a list of ten nominees, awarding points to the top three.
3. Yashin Trophy
The Yashin Trophy, named after the legendary goalkeeper Lev Yashin, honors the best goalkeeper in the world. Introduced in 2019, this trophy shines a spotlight on the pivotal role goalkeepers play in football success.
Criteria for the Yashin Trophy:
- Individual performances
- Team achievements
- Class and fair play
Similar to the Ballon d’Or, the Yashin Trophy is voted on by specialized football journalists. Jurors select three goalkeepers from a list of ten nominees, with points awarded accordingly.
4. Coach of the Year (Men’s and Women’s)
Introduced as part of the new partnership between UEFA and Groupe Amaury, the Coach of the Year trophies recognize the best coaches in men’s and women’s football. This award acknowledges the impact of a coach on the success of their teams.
Criteria for Coach of the Year:
- Quality of play: How well the team plays under the coach’s guidance.
- Titles won: Team success in competitions is a major factor.
- Leadership and tactical skills: The ability to inspire and strategize.
- Development of young talent: Coaches who successfully nurture young players are given extra credit.
The voting process for this award involves a jury of specialized football journalists from the same pool as the Ballon d’Or. Jurors rank two coaches in descending order of merit.
5. Club of the Year (Men’s and Women’s)
The Club of the Year award celebrates the achievements of football clubs, recognizing their excellence in both men’s and women’s competitions. Clubs are evaluated based on their overall performance during the season, including key victories, the quality of play, and memorable moments.
Criteria for Club of the Year:
- Quality of play
- Titles won
- Fair play and respect
The selection process is based on votes from football journalists who rank their top club for the year. In case of a tie, the club with the most players nominated for the Ballon d’Or is given the award.
6. Gerd Müller Trophy
Named after the legendary Bayern Munich striker Gerd Müller, this trophy is awarded to the top scorer of the season across all competitions. First introduced in 2021, this award honors the player with the highest goal tally.
7. Socrates Award
The Socrates Award, named after the Brazilian footballer known for his political activism, honors players who have made significant contributions to social and humanitarian causes. The award is unique in that it is not based on football performance but rather on efforts to improve the lives of others.
Voting Process and Decision Making
The voting system for the Ballon d’Or is meticulously designed to ensure fairness and transparency. For the men’s and women’s Ballon d’Or, jurors select ten players and assign points based on their rankings. If two players are tied, the player with more first-place votes wins. In the event of further ties, second-place and third-place votes are considered.
For the Kopa Trophy, Yashin Trophy, and other awards, jurors follow a similar process, ranking players or coaches from a pre-established list. Any disputes or voting issues are settled by the editor-in-chief of France Football.
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