FRANCE FOOTBALL GOLDEN BALL 

France Football Definition 

France Football is a French weekly magazine that is best known for its annual award of the prestigious Golden Ball. In addition to its annual award of the Golden Ball, France Football is also known for its extensive coverage of football news from around the world. The magazine features articles on a wide range of topics, including in-depth profiles of players and teams, analysis of tactics and strategies, and coverage of major football events such as the World Cup and the Champions League. France Football is widely respected for its journalistic standards and is known for its comprehensive and objective reporting on the world of football. It is an essential source of information for football fans and professionals alike, and is considered a must-read for anyone with a serious interest in the beautiful game.

France Football Golden Ball Definition

The France Football Golden Ball, also known as the Ballon d'Or, is an annual award presented by France Football, a French sports magazine, to the best male soccer player in the world. The award has been presented since 1956, and it is considered one of the most prestigious individual accolades in the sport.

To be eligible for the France Football Golden Ball, a player must have had an outstanding season with their club team and/or national team. The winner is chosen by a panel of international soccer experts, who take into consideration a player's individual performance, as well as the success of their team.

The France Football Golden Ball is not only a recognition of a player's individual talent, but also a testament to their hard work and dedication to the sport. It is a coveted award that is highly sought after by players and teams around the world, and it is a symbol of excellence in soccer. The recipient of the award is often seen as one of the top players in the world, and it is a mark of distinction that is sure to be remembered for years to come.

Golden Ball History :

The award was created by France Football in 1956 as a way to recognize and honor the best football players in Europe. At the time, the award was only open to European players who played for European clubs. The first winner of the Golden Ball was Sir Stanley Matthews, a legendary English winger who played for clubs such as Stoke City and Blackpool.

Over the years, the Golden Ball has been won by many other great footballers, including Michel Platini, Marco van Basten, Johan Cruyff, and Lionel Messi. These players have all made a significant impact on the world of football and have been recognized for their talent, skill, and sportsmanship.

In 1995, the rules for the Golden Ball were changed to allow players from any country to be eligible for the award, as long as they played for a European club. This opened the door for players from South America, Africa, and other regions to be considered for the award. As a result, the Golden Ball has been won by players such as Ronaldo, Kaka, and Ronaldinho, who have brought a new level of skill and excitement to the game.

In 2010, the Golden Ball was merged with the FIFA World Player of the Year award, which had been presented by FIFA, the governing body of international football, since 1991. The merged award was called the FIFA Ballon d'Or and was presented to the best male player in the world, as determined by a panel of international journalists and coaches. The first winner of the FIFA Ballon d'Or was Lionel Messi, who had already won the Golden Ball three times before.

However, in 2016, the award was split back into two separate awards: the France Football Golden Ball, which is presented by France Football, and the Best FIFA Men's Player award, which is presented by FIFA. Since the split, the France Football Golden Ball has been won by players such as Luka Modric, Lionel Messi, and Robert Lewandowski.

Today, the France Football Golden Ball remains one of the most prestigious individual awards in football and is a testament to the talent and dedication of the players who have won it. It is highly respected and widely recognized as a symbol of excellence in the world of football.

The winners of the Golden ball 

Wins By Player 

        Player                               Wins                       Years
  1.  Lionel Messi                          7          (2009-2010-2011-2012-2015-2019-2021) 
  2. Cristiano Ronaldo                    5                  (2008-2013-2014-2016-2017)
  3. Michel Platini                          3                  (1983, 1984, 1985)
  4. Johan Cruyff                    3                  (1971, 1973, 1974)
  5. Marco van Basten                    3                  (1988, 1989, 1992)
  6. Franz Beckenbauer            2                  (1972, 1976)
  7. Ronaldo                            2                  (1997, 2002)
  8. Alfredo Di Stéfano                    2                  (1957, 1959)
  9. Kevin Keegan                    2                  (1978, 1979)
  10. Karl-Heinz Rummenigge            2                  (1980, 1981)
  11. Luis Suárez                            1                  (1960)
  12. Eusébio                            1                  (1965)
  13. Bobby Charlton                    1                  (1966)
  14. Raymond Kopa                    1                  (1958)
  15. Gerd Müller                            1                  (1970)
  16. Zinedine Zidane                    1                  (1998)
  17. Gianni Rivera                  1                  (1969)
  18. Ruud Gullit                            1                  (1987)
  19. Lothar Matthäus                    1                  (1990)
  20. Roberto Baggio                    1                  (1993)
  21. Hristo Stoichkov                    1                  (1994)
  22. Andriy Shevchenko            1                  (2004)
  23. George Best                  1                  (1968)
  24. Allan Simonsen                    1                  (1977)
  25. Ronaldinho                            1                  (2005)

Wins By Country 

        Country                 Players                  Wins
 
  1. France                     5                             
  2. Germany                     5                             
  3. Netherlands                     3                             
  4. Portugal                     3                             
  5. Argentina                     1                             
  6. Italy                             5                             
  7. Brazil                             4                             
  8. England                     4                             
  9. Soviet Union             3                             
  10. Spain                             2                             
  11. Bulgaria                     1                             
  12. Croatia                     1                             
  13. Czech Republic             1                             
  14. Czechoslovakia             1                             
  15. Denmark                     1                             
  16. Hungary                     1                             
  17. Liberia                     1                             
  18. Northern Ireland             1                             
  19. Scotland                     1                             
  20. Ukraine                     1                             1

Wins By Club 

         Club                                         Players                               Wins 
  1. Real Madrid                             8                                         12 
  2. Barcelona                                     6                                         12 
  3. Juventus                                     6                                         
  4. AC Milan                                     6                                         
  5. Bayern Munich                             3                                         
  6. Manchester United                     4                                         
  7. Dynamo Kyiv                             2                                         
  8. Inter Milan                                     2                                         
  9. Hamburger SV                             1                                         
  10. Ajax                                             1                                         
  11. Benfica                                     1                                         
  12. Blackpool                                     1                                         
  13. Borussia Dortmund                     1                                         
  14. Borussia Mönchengladbach             1                                         
  15. Dukla Prague                             1                                         
  16. Dynamo Moscow                             1                                         
  17. Ferencváros                                     1                                         1
  18. Liverpool                                     1                                         1
  19. Marseille                                     1                                         1
  20. Paris Saint-Germain                     1                                         1