The Best vs. Ballon d'Or: the key differences between the two awards

Since 2016, world football has had two major individual awards that distinguish the best player on the planet: the Ballon d'Or and The Best FIFA. Although both pursue the same objective, their criteria, voting system, and philosophy present notable differences that explain why they do not always point to the same winner.

The separation between France Football and FIFA marked a before and after in individual awards, recovering a scenario in which two parallel recognitions for the most outstanding footballer of the year coexist.

The Break Between FIFA and France Football That Changed Everything

Between 2010 and 2015, the football world awarded a single prize: the FIFA Ballon d'Or, the result of an agreement between FIFA and France Football to unify criteria. However, in 2016, both entities ended their collaboration and resumed their awards separately.

As a consequence, France Football kept the Ballon d'Or, while FIFA created The Best, the direct heir to the old FIFA World Player, which was awarded between 1991 and 2009.

Two Very Different Voting Systems to Choose the World's Best Footballer

One of the most important differences between both awards is the voting system. In the Ballon d'Or, France Football selects a list of 30 nominees and a jury made up of 100 journalists, one per country, decides the winner through individual voting.

1. 100 journalists from around the world, one per country, cast their votes to choose the winner

In contrast, The Best FIFA presents a much broader model. After an initial shortlist of ten players selected by experts, the vote is divided equally among four groups: specialized journalists, fans via the internet, national team captains, and national team coaches, each with 25% of the total weight.

1. Country-specific journalists
2. Fans via the internet
3. National team captains
4. National team coaches

Criteria, Approach, and a List of Winners That Explains the Differences

There are also clear contrasts in the valuation criteria. FIFA establishes more generic parameters, focused on sporting performance and behavior on and off the field.

1. Performance on the field
2. General behavior on and off the field

For its part, France Football is more specific and prioritizes individual and collective performances, the player's class, and their overall career.

1. Individual and collective performances (titles) during the year
2. Player class (talent and fair play)
3. Player career

These differences are reflected in the The Best honors, where names like Leo Messi, Robert Lewandowski, Aitana Bonmatí, or Alexia Putellas stand out, in editions where the Ballon d'Or did not always align. Two awards, one same objective, and two very different ways of interpreting who has truly been the best footballer in the world

Ballon d'Or Winners (2016-2025)

Ballon d'Or 2025: All individual awards from the 69th edition

The Best Winners (2016-2025)