The Ballon d’Or, world football’s most prestigious individual award, is set to make new history. Breaking its long-standing Paris tradition, the glittering ceremony will be held in London for the first time.
The organisers said the ceremony will take place in the UK capital on October 26 to mark the Ballon d’Or’s 70th anniversary. The award, which began under France Football magazine in 1956, had England’s legendary Stanley Matthews as its first winner.
UEFA said London was chosen for this year’s special edition to honour Matthews, the first Ballon d’Or winner. The exact venue has not yet been announced.
Regarded as the highest recognition of individual achievement in world football, the Ballon d’Or was dominated for the past decade and a half by Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. Messi has won it a record eight times, while Ronaldo has five to his name.
In the most recent edition, French star Ousmane Dembélé won the men’s award and Spain’s Aitana Bonmatí was named the women’s player of the year.
Going beyond its long Paris chapter to hold this year’s Ballon d’Or in London has created extra curiosity and excitement among football fans, and discussion around the 70th edition — a blend of tradition and novelty — is already growing worldwide.
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