Best soccer player in America ("El Mundo" of Venezuela)". BigSoccer Forum. Archived from the original on 4 October 2022 . Retrieved 12 March 2022. These obscure facts just scratch the surface of the award‘s rich history that any football fanatic like myself would love to analyze further! Final Thoughts on this Prestigious Honor The current generation of players saw their idols lift the golden ball trophy, and it continues to have a real aura around it. The Ballon d‘Or‘s lower gold content accounts for its smaller price tag compared to the World Cup prize. However, there‘s more to discuss regarding the trophies‘ values. Winners Only Keep the Trophy Temporarily However, as any football fan knows, its real value is undoubtedly much higher. Let‘s compare it to the estimated €20 million value of 18-carat FIFA World Cup Trophy to put things into perspective: Trophy

Each ceremony recognises individuals who have made their mark on the game and they have proven to be a good way to measure who has shone brightest during specific eras. On this day, Di Stéfano won the Super Ballon d'Or". RealMadrid.com. 24 December 2015. Archived from the original on 25 December 2015 . Retrieved 13 January 2016. The Ballon d’Or’s iconic golden sheen and globally recognized silhouette make it instantly synonymous with football excellence. To join the hallowed list of winners is to forever leave your mark as one of the greatest players of all time. France Football Player of the Century - Who voted for who?". BigSoccer Forum . Retrieved 25 May 2023. The Super Ballon d'Or, the most prestigious and rare award only ONE player has ever won". SPORTbible. 21 December 2022 . Retrieved 25 May 2023.If we‘re talking stats, there‘s no better place to start than the leaders for most Ballon d‘Or trophies won: Player Auctioned for charity. Ronaldo famously sold one of his Ballon d‘Or awards at a 2017 charity auction for €600,000 – now that‘s generosity! So if winners don‘t keep the Ballon d‘Or itself, where does its immense value come from? The answer is its unrivaled prestige. The collaboration saw the accolade renamed the 'FIFA Ballon d'Or' before both parties went their separate ways in 2015 and FIFA launched their own awards promptly afterwards.

Wins by player Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi won 10 consecutive Ballon d'Or trophies between them from 2008 to 2017. Michel Platini won the award three years running (1983–85). Ronaldo Nazario is the youngest player to win the Ballon d'Or. Player The award builds hype that boosts overall revenue in football‘s massive commercial ecosystem. The Rich History Fuels Its Reputation The shortest stretch between awards for one player is 1 year, achieved by 8 players including Messi, Ronaldo and Platini. While FIFA has a greater profile around the world when compared to Ballon d'Or organisers France Football, its The Best awards still need time to become more established as the honour that all players dream of from the day they lace up their boots.FIFA, however, hold their award ceremony either at the beginning or end of a calendar year with winners judged on their performances across that time frame. Trophy Andrews, Connor (1 December 2021). "Robert Lewandowski was cruelly robbed of 2020 Ballon d'Or and striker's 2021 stats are far better than Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, who praised him". Talksport . Retrieved 22 December 2022. Lionel Messi has won the award a record eight times, followed by Cristiano Ronaldo with five. Messi is the only player in history to win the award with three different teams and also the only one to win it while playing outside Europe. [19] Three players have won the award three times each: Johan Cruyff, Michel Platini, and Marco van Basten. With seven awards each, Dutch, German, Portuguese and French players have won the second most Ballons d'Or, underneath Argentina in first with eight. Players from Germany (1972, 1981) and the Netherlands (1988) occupied the top-three top spots in a single year (a feat achieved only three times in history). German (1972) and Italian (1988–1990) clubs achieved the same feat, including two individual years dominated by AC Milan players (1988, 1989), a unique record until Spanish clubs experienced an unforeseen dominance (2009–2012, 2015, 2016) and Barcelona (2010) became the second club to occupy the top-three. Two Spanish clubs, Barcelona and Real Madrid, also lead the ranking for producing the most winners, with 12 wins each. [20] Only a few votes separated the players across both awards with many fans and players critical of Lewandowski not taking the Ballon d'Or. Year

Proudly on display at home or in a personal museum. For superstars like Messi and Ronaldo, it‘s the ultimate bragging right to showcase Ballons d‘Or in their own trophy rooms.With more than 50 years of extra history, the Ballon d'Or holds a special place in the heart of the footballing world as an annual tradition.

Personally, I think it‘s a nice gesture from many players to give their replicas away to charity or their childhood clubs. But keeping them proudly on show seems very justified for recognition of their amazing achievement! The Immense Historical Value of Football‘s Most Iconic Individual Trophy Despite their many differences, both awards have often been won by the same players in the same years. Combien de Ballon(s) d'Or France Football aurait pu remporter Diego Maradona?". France Football (in French). 29 October 2020. Archived from the original on 14 November 2020 . Retrieved 14 November 2020. Here‘s an interesting fact – the players don‘t actually get to keep the original Ballon d‘Or trophy! Designed and crafted by legendary French jewelry company Mellerio dits Meller, the Ballon d’Or trophy stands 28 cm tall and weighs around 12 kg. Made of solid brass coated in 18-carat gold, its monetary value likely totals around €3,000.The table shows that Ballon d‘Or recognition correlates with and boosts players‘ income to elite levels through salaries, endorsements and more. The award is a sign they have reached the pinnacle of football success. The Ballon d‘Or Drives Huge Value for Football a b "THE BALLON D'OR WILL NOT BE AWARDED IN 2020". L'Equipe. 20 July 2020. Archived from the original on 20 July 2020 . Retrieved 20 July 2020. FIFA World Player Gala 2008". FIFA.com. 12 January 2009. Archived from the original on 26 July 2020 . Retrieved 18 March 2020. Mourinho's Ballon d'Or belief proven right as Messi edges out Haaland in 'popularity contest' ". sport.optus.com.au . Retrieved 1 November 2023.