The Ballon d’Or, one of the most prestigious individual awards in football, has a rich history dating back to its inception in 1956. You can also use your trusted betting site 1xBet to wager on winners of this award too.
It was created by France Football, a French football magazine, to honor the best footballer in Europe. Initially, the award was exclusive to European players, but in 1995, it expanded to include non-European players as well. If you want to wager on footballers from all over the world, 1xBet is your trusted betting site to do exactly that.
The eligibility criteria were further adjusted in 1995 when players from all over the world were allowed to be nominated.
Picking the winner
The Ballon d’Or’s first winner was Stanley Matthews of Blackpool and England, who was honored for his exceptional performances in the 1955-56 season. Since then, the award has been given annually to the player deemed to have had the most outstanding year in international football. It is possible to 1xBet register now and bet on plenty of different footballers too.
In the early years, the award was given based on the votes of a panel of European journalists. However, the process evolved over time, and in 1995, France Football introduced a more international panel of voters. The list of nominees grew, and players from all over the world were now included, leading to an even more competitive field of candidates. By registering now at 1xBet, you will also be able to bet and start winning great rewards too.
A significant change
In 2010, the Ballon d’Or went through another major change. It merged with the FIFA World Player of the Year award, a recognition given by the sport’s governing body. This new combined award was named the FIFA Ballon d’Or and saw a wider range of voters, including national team coaches and captains. It is possible to play favourite casino at 1xBet prior to the next election of the winner of this award too.
However, the partnership between France Football and FIFA ended in 2016, and the Ballon d’Or returned to being an award solely organized by France Football, restoring its original format.
Through the years, the Ballon d’Or has been dominated by a few names. The top winners of this award are:
- Lionel Messi with 8 wins;
- Cristiano Ronaldo with 5 wins;
- and also, Michel Platini, Johan Cruyff and Marco van Basten, with each one of them claiming the award 3 times.
This award remains a symbol of individual excellence in football, recognizing not just skill, but also the impact a player has on the game. Prior to a football match that features a Ballon d’Or winner, you are welcomed to play at your favourite casino, which is the one offered by the 1xBet platform.