{
  "id": 16618881,
  "title": "What is the Ballon d'Or? Award history and why it matters so much to soccer players",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/26/what-is-the-ballon-dor-award-history-and-why-it-matters-so-much-to",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-26T15:27:01.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Yahoo Sports",
    "slug": "yahoo-sports",
    "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/ballon-dor-award-history-why-085001606.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Ballon d'Or, French for \"Golden Ball,\" is the most prestigious individual soccer award globally, recognizing the top male and female players from the previous season. Initiated in 1956 by France Football, it has been awarded annually, with the exception of 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The 2027 year will mark the 70th edition of the men's award, with the introduction of the Ballon d'Or Feminin in 2018 to honor the best female player. A panel of international journalists, chosen from the top 100 nations in the FIFA men's ranking and the top 50 in the FIFA women's ranking, selects the final 30 nominees and votes for the winner. This process was updated in 2022 to ensure a more diverse and representative selection. The Ballon d'Or is considered the most prestigious individual honor in soccer, akin to the Academy Award for Best Actor in Hollywood. A win can elevate a player's career to legendary status, establishing them as one of the greatest to ever play the game. Lionel Messi holds the record for the most Ballon d'Or awards, with eight wins between 2008 and 2021, while Cristiano Ronaldo follows with five. Notable winners include Michel Platini, Johan Cruyff, and Marco van Basten, each winning three awards. Other notable trophies at the Ballon d'Or ceremony include the Yashin Trophy for the best goalkeeper and the Kopa Trophy for the best young player under 21. Additional awards recognize the best coach, top scorer, and sportsmanship.",
  "summary": "Every October, the Ballon d'Or is a huge bone of contention for soccer fans around the globe, as the prestigious award prepares to add another superstar to its list of all-time great winners.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "BBC Sport Football",
        "title": "Weir would swap Ballon d'Or nominations for World Cup",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/25/weir-would-swap-ballon-dor-nominations-for-world-cup",
        "published": "2026-10-25T19:34:15.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}