For even the most ardent football fan, the landscape of individual player awards can be a confusing one. Two trophies stand above all others—the prestigious Ballon d'Or and the newer The Best FIFA Football Awards—but what truly sets them apart?
While both honour the world's elite footballers, the devil is in the detail, from who votes to the very criteria they judge upon.
The Key Differences at a Glance
The most fundamental distinction lies in their governing bodies. The Ballon d'Or is organised by France Football magazine, a ceremony steeped in history dating back to 1956. In contrast, The Best is FIFA's own accolade, inaugurated in 2016 after the global governing body's split from its previous partnership with France Football.
Who Gets a Vote? A Tale of Two Electorates
The voting process is where the two awards diverge most significantly, profoundly influencing the outcomes.
The Ballon d'Or relies on a jury of international journalists. One football expert from each of the top 100 nations in the FIFA rankings casts their vote, prioritising individual performance and talent above all else.
The Best FIFA Award employs a much broader and more diverse electorate. Votes are split equally between four groups: national team captains, national team coaches, a dedicated journalist from each territory, and—uniquely—the fans, who account for a quarter of the final tally through online voting.
Performance Periods and Prestige
The awards are aligned on the timeframe they assess, both now judging performances across a single European season rather than a calendar year.
However, the Ballon d'Or carries an undeniable weight of history. Its legendary list of winners, from Stanley Matthews to Lionel Messi, grants it an aura of tradition that FIFA's newer award is still cultivating. Lifting the iconic golden ball remains the ultimate dream for most professionals, often considered the pinnacle of individual achievement in the sport.
This difference in prestige was starkly illustrated in 2023. Despite leading Argentina to World Cup glory, Lionel Messi won The Best FIFA award but was pipped to the Ballon d'Or by Erling Haaland, highlighting how the separate voting bodies can yield dramatically different results.
Ultimately, while The Best recognises excellence on a global scale with a modern, inclusive voting system, the Ballon d'Or endures as the game's most historic and coveted individual prize, judged purely by the experts of the press box.
