Yamal, Mbappé, Kane and Messi in contention to win the Ballon d’Or. Here’s what to know

The history of the Ballon d'Or dates back to 1956 when Stanley Matthews, aged 41, became the first winner of the prestigious award. Matthews, representing Blackpool in England, remains the oldest-ever winner. Since then, the award has been given to a remarkable array of footballers, many of whom have left an indelible mark on the sport.

George Weah, the first African player to win the Ballon d'Or, achieved this feat in 1995 after the rules were changed to allow non-European players representing European clubs to be eligible. Weah, hailing from Liberia, remains the only African winner of the men's award, making his triumph a landmark moment for football on the continent.

Ronaldo's victories in 1997 and 2007 highlight his explosive performances for Barcelona and Inter Milan, respectively. At 21, Ronaldo became the youngest winner of the award, a record that still stands. His ability to mesmerize audiences around the world made him one of the greatest No 9s of all time.

Fabio Cannavaro's 2006 victory was largely due to his inspirational leadership of Italy as they won the World Cup. Cannavaro, representing Real Madrid in Spain, remains the last defender to win the award. Only three defenders have ever won the Ballon d'Or: Franz Beckenbauer, Matthias Sammer, and Cannavaro.

Lionel Messi's eight Ballon d'Or victories, the most in history, are a testament to his extraordinary talent. His record-breaking 2009 win came during his time at Barcelona, where he scored 38 goals and provided 19 assists, leading the team to a treble under Pep Guardiola. Messi's record-breaking streak continued until 2023, when he won his eighth Ballon d'Or while playing for Inter Miami in Argentina.