The Ballon d’Or, soccer’s prestigious individual award, will reveal its 68th winner on October 28. Lionel Messi, the all-time record-holder with eight wins, is set to be succeeded by a newcomer, amidst a competitive field of 30 players. Favorites include Vinicius Jr., a standout for Real Madrid, and Aitana Bonmati, the likely repeat winner for the women’s category. The award’s voting process has evolved to enhance fairness and transparency, with changes aimed at broadening opportunities for performance recognition.
The prestigious Ballon d’Or has witnessed numerous transformations over the years. On Monday, October 28, following the gradual unveiling of rankings by France Football, the identity of the 68th winner will be disclosed. This year’s ceremony comes after Lionel Messi’s widely expected victory, marking his eighth title, while soccer’s elite honor is now poised to be awarded to a newcomer.
A total of 30 contenders are vying to join the ranks of illustrious past winners. Notably absent from this year’s nominations are defending champion Argentina, Cristiano Ronaldo—a first in over two decades—and previous winners Luka Modric and Karim Benzema, crowned in 2018 and 2022, respectively. This opens the competition more than ever.
Key Contenders: Vinicius Jr and Bonmati
Among the candidates, Vinicius Jr stands out with a noteworthy season. He has gained significant recognition as a figure against racism, particularly following his recent stand after Real Madrid’s heavy defeat to Barcelona (0-4). His contributions were vital in Real Madrid’s double triumph in La Liga and the Champions League last year, where he not only shined but was named the Best Player in the Champions League, scoring in the final against Borussia Dortmund (0-2). Although his international performance with Brazil was less dazzling after a quarter-final exit in the Copa America, his club achievements could still secure him the Ballon d’Or, potentially making him the first Brazilian winner since Kaká in 2007.
On the women’s side, Aitana Bonmati is a strong favorite following the achievements of her fellow countrywoman, Alexia Putellas, who won in 2021 and 2022. As a vital player for FC Barcelona, Bonmati has contributed immensely to her team’s success in Europe, helping them clinch the Champions League in 2021, 2023, and 2024, along with five consecutive Liga titles. A standout at the recent World Cup, she has drawn comparisons to legendary player Iniesta, and she is expected to be joined on the podium by her teammates Putellas and Salma Paralluelo, reflecting Spain’s dominance in women’s soccer.
Evolution of the Ballon d’Or
The Ballon d’Or, established in 1956 by France Football, has evolved from its initial restrictions. Initially, it was awarded only to European players in European clubs until 1995, gradually including foreign players before opening eligibility to all nationalities in 2007. This shift explains why iconic talents like Pelé and Diego Maradona never won the award despite their illustrious careers.
The award process underwent significant changes in 2010, introducing a broader voting panel and a revised scoring system, as critics argued that it did not necessarily honor the year’s best player. This was reassessed in 2016 after severing ties with FIFA, leading to a return to a more traditional approach: the decision is now based on the votes of 170 journalists, reduced to 100 in 2022 from the top FIFA-ranked nations, supplemented by three new jurors including Didier Drogba. A similar process has been in place for the women’s award since 2018, relying on 50 soccer journalists from the leading FIFA nations.
New Voting Criteria for Enhanced Fairness
Recent years have seen the introduction of new voting methods. Previously awarded at the end of the calendar year, the Ballon d’Or now aligns with the football season (August to July), providing clearer standards for judging performances. This change aims to improve coherence and clarity in the evaluation process.
The scoring system has also been revamped, eliminating career achievements from consideration, which previously contributed to the dominance of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. The newly established criteria focus on players’ individual performances and impact, collective achievements during the evaluation year, and overall talent and sportsmanship.
Voters now create a Top 10 list, with points awarded based on ranking (15 for first choice, 12 for second, and so forth). This adjustment aims to introduce uncertainty into the outcome, keeping football fans eagerly guessing until the final announcement.