Ballon d'Or: News, Winners and 2024 Watchlist

Who will lift the Ballon d'Or next? Fans ask that every year, and the answers change fast. The Ballon d'Or is football’s most talked-about individual prize, handed out by France Football since 1956. Lionel Messi holds the record with eight wins, and Cristiano Ronaldo follows with five. The award looks at a player’s calendar-year impact — goals, assists, trophies, and big-match moments all matter.

How the Ballon d'Or is Decided

Journalists from around the world vote on the shortlist. They rank their top players based on the year’s performance. Big trophies like the Champions League or World Cup push names up the list, but so do consistent league form and standout individual stats. A player who shines in big games or lifts a major trophy often gets the edge.

Want a practical tip? Watch both club and international competitions across the calendar year. A player who wins a domestic title plus performs in the Champions League — or stars at a major international tournament — becomes hard to ignore.

How to Follow the Race on Our Site

Use this tag page to track every Ballon d'Or update. We’ll post shortlist news, match performances that matter, early predictions, and live ceremony coverage. Bookmark the page, check back after big fixtures, and look for shortlists and expert takes right after nominations drop.

If you’re into quick reads, follow these steps each week: 1) scan match reports for standout performers; 2) watch highlight reels of big games; 3) note players who combine stats with trophies; 4) read our short analysis pieces for context. This helps you spot trends before the shortlist arrives.

Want a betting or prediction edge? Track players who perform in late-season runs and in summer tournaments. Voters remember headlines from the whole year — a hot streak before voting makes a difference.

We’ll also cover controversies, surprises, and debates — like when a defensive player challenges attackers for votes, or when a World Cup hero jumps into the conversation. Expect quick explainers on why a nominee was chosen and what voters likely valued.

Follow the Ballon d'Or tag here for clear updates, short analysis, and ceremony alerts. If you want instant updates, subscribe to our newsletter or set a browser alert for this tag. Got a take you want us to cover? Send it in — we read fan reactions and sometimes feature the best ones.

Keep checking back: the race heats up after every big match, and one performance can change the conversation overnight.