A momentous change that opens a new era? We don’t know, only the first part remains true at the moment. We are talking about the most important individual trophy in world soccer, the one that has awarded the best player of the year every year since 1956. The ingenious idea came from a magazine that is an institution in the world of sports and journalism, namely France Football, which in 1956 established the most coveted tradition for any footballer in any part of the globe. And, with France Football in the midst, what historically has been the official venue for the presentation of the award?
That’s right, Paris. At the foot of the Eiffel Tower, players of the caliber of Johan Cruyff, Michel Platini, Marco van Basten, Roberto Baggio, the Phenomenon Ronaldo, and again Zidane, Ronaldinho, Kaká, Rodri, Modric, Benzema, up to the most recent rulers Lionel Messi, holder of no fewer than nine Ballons d’Or – an all-time record – and Cristiano Ronaldo have been honored. The latest recipient of the prestigious award? Paris Saint-Germain footballer Ousmane Dembélé.
The change of location
As Uefa, which has been organizing the event with France Football since 2024, specifies in a press release, the prize this year will no longer be awarded in Paris, the historic venue for the award given its affiliation with the prestigious magazine, but in London. The choice of venue is symbolic because it pays tribute to English footballer Stanley Matthews, winner of the first edition 70 years ago. Therefore, the 70th edition lands in the UK capital, continuing its expansion and further strengthening its status as an internationally prestigious brand.
A hot edition, given not only the European and national competitions now at an end, but also the FIFA World Cup 2026 now on the horizon, in the US, Canada and Mexico. And which will only increase curiosity about who will succeed the winners of the women’s and men’s trophies, namely Aitana Bonmatí and Ousmane Dembélé.
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