Organizers of the Ballon d’Or have countered the persistent assumption that professional footballers must be affiliated with a European team to secure the game’s highest individual accolade. They emphasized that current regulations place no such geographical constraint on potential winners.
A public announcement released this past Thursday sought to clarify these eligibility rules as anticipation grows for the upcoming award ceremony. The organizers noted that while the trophy has historically been associated with European clubs, the rules have undergone major changes. Initially, in 1956, the honor was restricted to European athletes in European leagues. Access expanded to international players in European clubs by 1995, and all restrictions were officially dropped in 2007.
Despite this policy, recent history shows that nearly all recipients have competed within European leagues. Lionel Messi stands as a notable exception; he won in 2023 after moving to Major League Soccer, though the award period largely covered his tenure with Paris Saint-Germain. Similarly, Megan Rapinoe made history in 2019 when she claimed the women’s award while playing for Seattle Reign FC.
The organization acknowledged that European dominance remains clear, but they noted that the global evolution of soccer could soon shift these trends. They concluded that while achieving the honor while playing outside Europe may be more difficult, the prize remains accessible to talented individuals competing in any league worldwide.
