A year earlier, France Football altered the Ballon d’Or rules to improve fairness in the selection process.
The Ballon d’Or remains the pinnacle individual prize in world football, despite ongoing debates about its methods. France Football presents the award every year to the player deemed best by the votes of fellow players, coaches and football experts. The goal of the rule changes was to streamline the process and ensure the winner’s merit is clear and justified.
Ballon d’Or rules explained
The most visible change for 2022 was how the eligibility period is defined. Previously the award reflected a calendar year, from January to December. The new approach assesses performance over a football season, measuring contributions from August of one year to July of the next. In 2022 the season’s end was marked by the Women’s World Cup triumph of Spain, a milestone that underscores how global events can shape the timing and perception of the award.
Because Qatar hosted the World Cup in late 2022, those matches did not influence the 2022 ballot, but they will count toward the 2023 considerations. Historically, success in the World Cup has been a decisive differentiator in Ballon d’Or outcomes, which reinforces why recent form and big tournament performances matter when voters decide the winner for the following year.
Ballon d’Or candidates
A further shift touched how nominees are chosen. In September, France Football unveiled a longlist of 30 top players worldwide who could contend for the prize, alongside a selection of 20 other athletes in related categories. Among these, 10 standout goalkeepers are recognized for the Yashin Award, and 10 rising stars compete for the Kopa Trophy. This initial list is curated by the editorial teams of France Football and L’Equipe, and it also includes contributions from Didier Drogba, serving as a brand ambassador, together with feedback from voters who performed well in the prior edition.
Ballon d’Or voting panel
The voting base shifted from 170 countries to 100, limiting participation to nations with higher FIFA rankings. This adjustment was justified by L’Equipe as a tradeoff: a more compact panel can deliver greater legitimacy and reliability, even if it sacrifices some regional color.
Ballon d’Or criteria
Voters are asked to weigh several factors when selecting the winner. First, they evaluate the player’s individual performances and their influence within the team. Second, team achievements in domestic and international competitions are taken into account. Third, attention is given to the player’s Fair Play, focusing on attitude and sportsmanship on the field.
An important change eliminates consideration of a player’s past career as a tie-breaker. In other words, the award now prioritizes current season achievements over what happened in previous years. This shift places emphasis on the specific performances of the latest campaign, aligning the prize more closely with present form and impact.
Notes on the process emphasize transparency and clarity for fans and players alike. The revamped framework aims to create a more straightforward, merit-based evaluation while reflecting modern football’s global makeup. [Goal]