As the Ballon d’Or nears its autumn lift next Monday in Paris to coronate the best footballers of the year, many remain asking how exactly the winners get chosen.  

Beneath the glitter lies a process that is often misunderstood, sometimes contested, and constantly evolving.

For decades, the Ballon d’Or was a European award for European players. Stanley Matthews, Alfredo Di Stéfano, and Michel Platini were among its early winners, while legends like Pelé and Diego Maradona never even had the chance to compete because they played outside the continent.

That changed in 1995 when George Weah became the first non-European winner, opening the door for Ronaldo Nazário, Ronaldinho, and Lionel Messi to define the modern era.

Shifting rules, shifting narratives

So what is the criteria for winning the golden trophy? Voters assess brilliance three ways: individual performance, collective achievement, and fair play. Consistency, trophies, and on-the-field comportment all come into the equation. Most pointedly, the award is no longer tied to the calendar year but instead tracks the rhythm of the European season from August to July. That adjustment ensured the World Cup or continental tournaments fall neatly into the same cycle.

Voting is carried out by 100 journalists, each representing a nation from the top of FIFA’s rankings. For the men’s award, each juror names ten players in order. Fifteen points go to a first-place vote, then twelve, ten, and so on down to one. The women’s award follows the same format with 50 voters. The numbers are added up, and the player with the highest tally takes the stage in Paris.

The tie-breakers add drama of their own. If two players are level on points, the nod goes to whoever collected more first-place votes, then second, and down the line. If no separation emerges, the editor-in-chief of France Football casts the deciding ballot.

Controversy fuels the legend

The process is meticulous, yet every year sparks debate. Critics argue the Ballon d’Or leans too heavily toward attackers, with defenders and goalkeepers overlooked. Virgil van Dijk’s near miss in 2019 to Messi remains fresh in memory, as does the fact that Lev Yashin in 1963 is still the only goalkeeper ever to win. Fabio Cannavaro was the last defender to win the award. And that was nearly two decades ago, thanks to some World Cup heroics.

Others see the award too tied to silverware: Luka Modrić’s 2018 triumph and Lionel Messi’s eighth crown in 2023 both leaned heavily on World Cup performances, while Robert Lewandowski’s dominance in 2020 went unrecognized when the award was canceled altogether due to Covid. Lewy got robbed.

This tension between individual brilliance and team success is precisely what makes the award compelling. Messi’s Copa América in 2021, Cristiano Ronaldo’s goal bonanzas, and even Wesley Sneijder’s omission in 2010 are all woven into the Ballon d’Or’s mythology. Franck Ribery will always remind football fans to never forget about his miss.

Why it matters beyond the stage

A Ballon d’Or isn’t just an honor. It’s currency. Players negotiate bigger salaries and bonuses when they hold the trophy, while clubs add clauses to transfers that pay out if a player one day wins it. When Chelsea signed teenager Estevão Willian, Palmeiras secured a payment if he ever becomes football’s best. Brands also flock to winners, attaching their logos to the image of global excellence.

The Ballon d’Or sparks endless controversy and pride for both fans and teams. Just ask Real Madrid, who sat out last year’s event when Vini Jr. got skimmed over. Nationalism remains a case in point, too. George Weah’s 1995 win remains a point of honor in Liberia. Croatia’s Modrić 2018 golden trophy makes him a national treasure despite finishing second at the World Cup.

The numbers and subjectiveness make the Ballon d’Or controversial in itself. Which is why, come Monday, we shouldn’t expect anything different when the newest winners take their crown.