In a groundbreaking move for football enthusiasts around the world, the Ballon d’Or—the sport’s most prestigious individual accolade—is set to undergo significant changes starting next year. UEFA, the governing body of European football, has announced a partnership with the organisers of the award, shaking up the traditional landscape of the coveted prize.
After a seven-year hiatus since their previous collaboration with FIFA, the French organizers of the Ballon d’Or have joined forces with UEFA to co-organize the event. From 2024 onwards, the esteemed award will be co-organized by UEFA and Groupe Amaury, the renowned publishers of France Football and L’Equipe.
Football enthusiasts may recall that from 2010 to 2016, the award was known as the FIFA Ballon d’Or. However, FIFA broke away to establish its own Best Awards in 2016, which have since garnered substantial attention.
As the football world basked in the excitement of the recently concluded Ballon d’Or ceremony in Paris, Lionel Messi clinched the men’s award for an incredible eighth time. Meanwhile, Aitana Bonmatí celebrated her first-ever women’s Ballon d’Or triumph.
According to a statement released by UEFA, their involvement in the new partnership will extend far beyond co-organizing the Ballon d’Or. UEFA will contribute its football expertise, market the global commercial rights, and orchestrate the unforgettable annual awards gala.
Excitingly, this collaboration also signals the end of UEFA’s own player of the year awards, which were traditionally bestowed in August. Football fans can now eagerly anticipate the merger of these accolades under the newly fortified Ballon d’Or.
This unprecedented partnership promises to elevate the Ballon d’Or to even greater heights. By fusing UEFA’s extensive football knowledge and expertise with Groupe Amaury’s unmatched publishing prowess, the transformative changes ahead are bound to captivate football enthusiasts worldwide.
