The "Ballon d'or" (from French, English translation is Golden Ball) is a football award, created in 1956 by the French football magazine France Football. It is usually known in English as the European Footballer of the Year award.
The award is given annually to the player considered to have performed the best over the previous year. In order to qualify for selection, the player must have been playing for a club based within UEFA's jurisdiction. Until 1995, a player also had to be of European nationality to be eligible. Voting for the award is undertaken by a group of European football journalists.
Ballon d'or Winners
See also
