The race for the 2026 Ballon d'Or is well and truly on - so who are the main contenders for the Golden Ball, and who has work ...

© Yu Chun Christopher Wong, FIFA, & Rich Storry/Getty ImagesCristiano Ronaldo (L) of Al-Nassr, Ousmane Dembele (M) of PSG, and Lionel Messi (R) of Inter Miami. After ...

The world of soccer has two awards that stand above the rest: the Ballon d'Or, presented by France Football, and The Best, organized by FIFA. What are the key differences between the two? This Tuesday ...

Handed out annually in October to the best player in world football the previous season, the Ballon d'Or is the pinnacle of ...

The battle for the 2026 Ballon d’Or is entering a decisive period with the Champions League final approaching later in May, and then the 2026 World Cup takes centre stage this summer.Since 2022, ...

The Ballon d’Or has always been marketed as the ultimate seal of individual supremacy in soccer. A golden stamp that elevates a player above his peers and, at least in theory, guarantees his place at ...

For the third time ever and the second in as many years, Cristiano Ronaldo has won the most prestigious individual award in soccer. Ronaldo was named the winner of the 2014 Ballon D'Or on Monday at ...

Football's most prestigious individual prize, the Ballon d'Or, will be co-organised by UEFA from next year, giving the European governing body a global event that traditionally out-ranks FIFA's own ...

Rodri clinched the Ballon d'Or in 2024, and the Manchester City midfielder believes his compatriot Lamine Yamal can also win ...

Regarded as football’s highest individual honour, the Ballon d’Or has consistently rewarded excellence at both club and international levels, with FIFA World Cup years often intensifying the contest ...

Ousmane Dembele has dropped in the latest Ballon d'Or rankings despite the French forward helping Paris Saint-Germain defend ...

The Athletic FC ⚽ is The Athletic’s daily football (or soccer, if you prefer) newsletter. Sign up to receive it directly to your inbox. Hello! Ousmane Dembele is the best men’s player in the world.