What Are the Main Differences Between the Ballon d’Or and The Best Award?
These two football honors both spotlight the world’s best, but diverge sharply in jury, criteria, and timing. Here’s how their differences shape history.
The Ballon d'Or is delivered by France Football, relying on an international panel of journalists who represent each country.
In contrast, FIFA’s The Best award centers its selection on votes from national team captains and coaches across the globe, making the process a direct reflection of peer perspectives within the game.
This distinction gives Ballon d'Or a unique journalistic lens, while The Best taps into first-hand recognition by those who play and guide at the highest level.
Beyond who votes, each trophy carries substantial legacy. While the Ballon d'Or was once limited to Europe’s stars, it now recognizes the top talent worldwide. The Best, however, has always honored global achievement, cementing its standard for modern football.
What Gets Rewarded?
Both prizes focus on identifying the best player over the season, but subtle variations decide the final verdict. The Ballon d'Or weighs individual and collective performance, pure talent, fair play, and even overall career trajectory when picking its winner.
High-profile recipients in recent years include Benzema, Messi, and Rodri—players whose campaigns combined on-field records with crucial team victories.
The Best, meanwhile, is awarded strictly on seasonal performance and overall influence within and beyond the pitch. Past years have seen Vinicius Junior and Messi earn this honor for standout achievements, mirroring the immediate impact on the global game rather than multi-year legacy.
Ceremony Timing and Additional Factors
Timing is another factor that influences these honors. The Ballon d'Or gala is typically held in September, with the 2025 event staged in Paris, while The Best is distributed by FIFA near the year’s end, usually in December.
There are also refined differences in criteria. The Best rewards not only footballing excellence but also behavior and sportsmanship inside and outside the arena. The Ballon d'Or keeps attention on raw skill, leadership, season impact, and legacy, reflecting a broader, more historic reach.
These nuances explain why nominees and eventual winners sometimes differ, and why each prize continues to spark lively debate among fans and insiders alike.
As football evolves, both awards shape how greatness is measured, ensuring that every winner resonates across a rising and changing global game.
