In 2024, the Ballon d’Or awards are co-organised by UEFA and Groupe Amaury, owner of France Football. The awards cover various categories, including the Gerd Müller Award for the top scorer and the Socrates Award for humanitarian efforts. The reference period for all awards is from August to the following August, encompassing international competitions like EURO, AFCON, Copa América, and the Olympics.
The Ballon d’Or recognizes the best male and female players globally, considering individual performances, team achievements, and fair play. An international jury of specialized journalists, one from each country in the top 100 FIFA rankings for men and top 50 for women, selects the winners. Jurors choose ten players from a list of 30, with points awarded based on ranking. The player with the highest points wins the Ballon d’Or.
The Kopa Trophy is awarded to the best player under 21, selected by past Ballon d’Or winners. The Yashin Trophy honors the top goalkeeper, chosen by an international jury. The Coach of the Year trophies recognize outstanding male and female coaches based on various criteria. The Club of the Year trophies reward exceptional male and female clubs.
The Kopa, Yashin, and Gerd Müller trophies are named after past Ballon d’Or laureates, while the Socrates Award acknowledges off-field contributions. UEFA’s involvement in the Ballon d’Or began in 2024, aiming to enhance the awards’ global reach and promote unity in the football community. The partnership with Groupe Amaury maintains the awards’ integrity and independence in the voting process.
The addition of the men’s and women’s coach of the year awards highlights the crucial role coaches play in team success. This expansion reflects the growing recognition of coaches’ contributions to the sport. With these developments, the Ballon d’Or continues to evolve and celebrate excellence in football across various categories and roles within the sport.
