Ballon D'Or 2024: Winners, History, And What's Next For Football's Best

19 May, 2025

Is the reign of Messi and Ronaldo truly over? The 2024 Ballon d'Or ceremony signaled a paradigm shift, with new names ascending to football's highest echelons, marking a potential end to an era and the dawn of a thrilling new chapter.

The Ballon d'Or, an annual football award presented to the best player of the previous year, remains one of the most coveted individual accolades in the sport. First awarded in 1956, the award, originating from the French magazine France Football, has grown into a symbol of excellence, recognizing players who have made outstanding contributions throughout the season. The 2024 edition of the Ballon d'Or, the 68th annual ceremony, took place in Paris on October 28, honoring the finest players, coaches, and teams in the professional game over the past season.

The recent crowning of Spanish midfielder Rodri as the 2024 Ballon d'Or winner sent shockwaves through the footballing world. Rodri's exceptional performance for Manchester City and Spain in 2024 cemented his place among the elite, making him only the third player since 2007, not named Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo, to claim France Football's prestigious Golden Ball. This victory marks a significant moment in his career, as he picks up the award for the first time, signaling a shift in the landscape of football's top honors.

The Ballon d'Or has a rich history, evolving over the decades to reflect the changing dynamics of the sport. Initially, the award was exclusive to European players, limiting the competition to the continent's best. However, in 1995, the criteria expanded to include players of any nationality playing in European clubs, broadening its scope significantly and enhancing its global appeal.

In a historic moment, both Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo did not make the list of nominees for the 2024 Ballon d'Or, a situation that had not occurred since 2013. This absence underscores the changing of the guard in football, with new talents emerging to challenge the established order. The dominance of Messi and Ronaldo, which lasted for over a decade, appears to be waning, as younger players step into the spotlight.

The women's Ballon d'Or saw Aitana Bonmati securing the coveted title, joining her Barcelona teammate Alexia Putellas as a two-time winner since the women's trophy was first awarded in 2018. Bonmati's achievement highlights the growing prominence of women's football and the exceptional talent within the sport. The award recognizes the best female player in the world, celebrating their accomplishments and contributions to the game.

In addition to the men's and women's Ballon d'Or, the ceremony also recognized the best young player under the age of 21 with the Kopa Trophy. This award, named after the late French footballer Raymond Kopa, the winner of the 1958 Ballon d'Or, celebrates the future stars of football. The Yashin Trophy, named after the legendary Soviet goalkeeper Lev Yashin, acknowledges the best goalkeeper in the world, further emphasizing the importance of every position on the field.

The selection process for the Ballon d'Or involves a voting system in which three groups participate: football experts from France Football, readers of France Football magazine, and a panel of journalists from around the world. Their votes determine the winner, ensuring a comprehensive and representative selection. The criteria for voting include individual performance, team success, and overall contribution to the sport.

While the Ballon d'Or celebrates individual excellence, it also recognizes the importance of team success. Players who have won major trophies with their clubs and national teams often have a higher chance of winning the award. However, individual brilliance and exceptional performances can also sway the voters, as evidenced by Rodri's victory in 2024.

The Ballon d'Or has not been without its controversies. Over the years, there have been debates and discussions surrounding the selection process and the deservingness of certain winners. Some critics argue that the award is too focused on attacking players, while others believe that it should take into account the achievements of players in less glamorous positions.

Beyond the main awards, the Ballon d'Or ceremony also includes other accolades, such as the Gerd Müller Trophy, which recognizes the best striker in the world. These additional awards further enrich the event, highlighting the diversity of talent and contributions within the sport. However, it is noted that the Ballon d'Or remains the only award for women during this event, with no women's equivalent of the Kopa Trophy, Yashin Trophy, and Gerd Müller Trophy currently in place.

In 1995, Diego Maradona received an honorary Ballon d'Or for his services to football, dubbed the Golden Ballon d'Or. This special recognition highlights the lasting impact of legendary players who have contributed significantly to the sport, even if they were not eligible for the award during their playing careers due to the eligibility restrictions in place at the time. Similarly, the Year Golden Ball award was given out between 1970 and 1994 by France Football magazine to honor outstanding players.

It's interesting to note that this year’s Ballon d’Or awards were the first since 2003 to not include either Messi or Ronaldo in the nominees list. This is a significant moment, signaling a potential shift in the landscape of football's top honors.

The AFC (Asian Football Confederation) is awarding the Asian International Player of the Year award to reduce controversy since 2012, but AFC awards were still having problems in that the process and criteria of selection were obscure. Eventually, the best footballer in Asia award inspired by Ballon d'Or was made in 2013, showcasing the global influence and prestige of the Ballon d'Or brand.

In 2023, Messi won his 8th Ballon d'Or after Karim Benzema won the 2022 Ballon d'Or award, showcasing the last 30 winners of this award.

Rodri (Man City) is the latest Ballon d’Or winner, adding his name to the illustrious list of recipients. Here are the Ballon d’Or féminin winners from 2018 to the present day, including Megan Rapinoe (OL Reign) in 2020.

As the football world looks ahead, the question remains: who will claim the coveted Ballon d'Or in 2025? The competition will undoubtedly be fierce, with a new generation of talent eager to make their mark and etch their names into football history. The Ballon d'Or continues to be a symbol of excellence, inspiring players to push their limits and achieve greatness.

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