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‘Possible but harder’: Ballon d’Or says players can win award outside Europe
🇳🇬 Nigeria /Sports

‘Possible but harder’: Ballon d’Or says players can win award outside Europe

From Vanguard · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources New plan
  • Ballon d'Or organizers clarified that players do not need to play for a European club to win the prestigious award.
  • While historically dominated by European-based players, eligibility rules have expanded significantly since 1956.
  • Recent winners like Lionel Messi and Megan Rapinoe have played outside Europe, though context is noted.

The organizers of the Ballon d'Or have addressed a persistent debate, stating that playing for a European club is not a prerequisite for winning football's most coveted individual honor. In a statement released Thursday, they clarified that current rules do not impose such a restriction, shifting focus to this year's award following the FIFA World Cup.

Every year, a refrain comes back around the Ballon d’Or: the winner will more likely represent a European club.

— Ballon d'Or organizersAcknowledging the common perception surrounding the award's winners.

Historically, the Ballon d'Or, established by France Football in 1956, was exclusively for European players in European leagues. This eligibility broadened in 1995 to include players of all nationalities playing in Europe. However, since 2007, all restrictions have been lifted, making the award open to the "best player in the world, full stop."

Since 2007, there’s been no restriction: the Ballon d’Or rewards the best player in the world, full stop.

— Ballon d'Or organizersExplaining the current eligibility criteria for the award.

Despite the rule changes, the award's history shows a strong correlation with European club representation. Only one of the last 18 men's winners, Lionel Messi in 2023, was playing outside Europe upon receiving the award, having joined Inter Miami. Organizers noted that Messi's win requires context, as the award has since 2022 been judged on a full season rather than a calendar year, with much of his winning campaign occurring at Paris Saint-Germain.

Yes, it’s entirely possible to win the Ballon d’Or without playing for a European club.

— Ballon d'Or organizersConfirming that playing outside Europe does not disqualify a player.

On the women's side, Megan Rapinoe remains the sole winner to have represented a non-European club, winning in 2019 while with Seattle Reign FC. While acknowledging Europe's continued dominance, the organizers emphasized that the evolving global football landscape means players outside the continent are increasingly viable contenders. They concluded that "nothing is impossible when it comes to the Ballon d'Or. Anyone, regardless of their league, can technically claim it."

Nothing is impossible when it comes to the Ballon d’Or. Anyone, regardless of their league, can technically claim it.

— Ballon d'Or organizersConcluding statement on the award's open eligibility.
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Originally published by Vanguard. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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