Ballon d'Or Winner Not Limited to European Clubs

The organizer of the Ballon d'Or, France Football, has stated that there are no restrictions on a player's club affiliation when it comes to winning the award. This clarification was made in light of ongoing discussions regarding the eligibility of players during the knockout stage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Historically, the Ballon d'Or has predominantly been awarded to players representing clubs in Europe's top leagues, such as Paris Saint-Germain's Ousmane Dembélé and Manchester City's Rodri. However, since 2007, the award has been open to players from clubs outside Europe.

The statement emphasizes that the Ballon d'Or is presented to the best player in the world, regardless of their club's location. Notably, Lionel Messi won the 2023 Ballon d'Or while playing for Inter Miami, although his performance during the 2022-23 season with Paris Saint-Germain was the basis for his win.

The award's judging period runs from August 1 to July 31 of the previous season.