Ballon d’Or 2026: ‘Not just the World Cup’ – France Football reveals criteria to win award this year

France Football has stated categorically the narration betwixt winning the World Cup and securing the Ballon d’Or.

The organizers of football’s astir prestigious accolade opted to reassess their information during the ongoing World Cup successful Canada, Mexico and the United States.

They examined the timeframe starting from 1995, erstwhile the grant was nary longer restricted to European players.

In earlier decades of the competition, notable figures specified arsenic Bobby Charlton, Paolo Rossi, and Lothar Matthaus had each achieved some the World Cup and the Ballon d’Or.

Zinedine Zidane, Ronaldo, and Fabio Cannavaro subsequently completed this treble successful 1998, 2002, and 2006, establishing what appeared to beryllium an unbreakable trend.

However, this singular streak of 3 consecutive satellite champions yet came to an end.

In 2010, contempt Spain’s triumph successful South Africa, Lionel Messi outshone Andres Iniesta and Xavi.

Cristiano Ronaldo bushed finalist Messi and victor Manuel Neuer successful 2014, portion Luka Modric claimed the Ballon d’Or contempt losing successful the last successful 2018.

The signifier reemerged astatine the Qatar tourney erstwhile Messi added his World Cup triumph with Argentina to the 2023 award.

France Football discovered that lone 4 retired of 7 satellite champions since 1995 besides secured the Ballon d’Or, resulting successful a ...