FIFA Ballon d'Or - Records and Statistics for the Wins by Country

Since 1956, the French news publication France Football has given out the Ballon d’Or, which translates to “Golden Ball” in French and is pronounced. According to a contract with FIFA, the prize was briefly combined with the World FIFA Player of the Year (established in 1991) and renamed as the FIFA Ballon d’Or between 2010 and 2015. The award returned to the Ballon d’Or after the termination of that collaboration in 2016, and FIFA also returned to its own independent annual award, The Best Men’s FIFA Player. Both awarding bodies recognize the winners of the joint Ballon d’Or FIFA as champions.

The male player who, from 1956 to 2006, journalists of football voted had demonstrated the best performance is honoured with the Ballon d’Or award, which was conceived by sports journalists Jacques Ferran and Gabriel Hanot over the preceding year. Its original name, the Footballer of the Year European award, was given to exclusively European players. All players from any origin who have played for European clubs are now eligible for the Ballon d’Or, which was enlarged in 1995.

The opportunity to vote was extended to national team captains and coaches from 2007.In 2007, all professional players from across the world were eligible for the honour. In 2022, France Football modified the Ballon d’Or rules. They adjusted the scheduling such that honours were awarded for a season of football rather than for accomplishments over the course of a calendar year. [6] Additionally, it was agreed that only the top 100 FIFA World Ranking nations would be permitted to vote.

The History and the Present Scenario

The Football Association of France didn’t change its position on including non-European players who compete in Europe and are also eligible for the renowned Ballon d’Or until 1995. The head magazine editor for France Football came up with the concept for such an award in 1956. Only European athletes competing actively in Europe were eligible for the renowned journalists’ votes. By making this distinction, early Ballon d’Or contenders like Diego Maradona or Pele were ruled out.

Football’s oldest individual accolade, the Ballon d’Or, was created in 1956. It was exclusively offered to European players in the early years. As a result, other football greats were unable to obtain it. But as of 1995, all footballers from any background and nation who have played for European teams are now eligible for the Ballon d’Or. The first recipient of this honour was Stanley Mathews of London in 1956, and the first African to do so was George Weah. Lev Yashin became the first and only goalie in history to receive the Ballon d’Or after that. Since 1956, the prize has been granted annually, however many eligible recipients were left out in 2020.

FIFA and Football France to jointly deliver the award from the year 2010 through 2015. Thus, the title became known as the FIFA Ballon d’Or. and Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi spring to mind when the Ballon d’Or is mentioned in relation to football. The two greatest players on the planet have a combined total of 11 Ballon d’Or victories. Because of their consistency and legacy, only Messi and Ronaldo were the Ballon d’Or winners from 2008 to 2017.

The Ballon d’Or is the highest honour a football player can receive. The Ballon d’Or is presented to the top player on an individual level each season. Gabriel Hanot, a sportswriter, came up with the concept for the Ballon d’Or, which has been given out since 1956. Famously, France Football, a French news publication, presents this honour. Since its creation in 1956, the Ballon d’Or has perhaps been the most recognizable. It was the most prestigious award in football. It has been surrounded by a tremendously star-studded list throughout the years.

Wins by Country
Number	Country	Winner	Runner-up	Third place
1	Argentina	4 (2010, 2011, 2012, 2015)	2 (2013, 2014)	—
2	Portugal	2 (2013, 2014)	3 (2011, 2012, 2015)	—
3	Spain	—	1 (2010)	3 (2010, 2011, 2012)
4	France	—	—	1 (2013)
	Germany	—	—	1 (2014)
	Brazil	—	—	1 (2015)