The Ballon d'Or, football's most prestigious individual prize, is awarded annually by France Football magazine. The winner is chosen through a two-stage voting system. First, journalists from France Football and L'Equipe compile a list of 30 nominees based on performances from the previous season. Then, one journalist from each of the top 100 Fifa-ranked nations votes for their top 10 players, awarding points from 15 down to 1. The player with the most total points wins, with ties broken by the number of first-place votes, then second-place votes, and so on. Voters are encouraged to consider individual performances, team achievements, and fair play.

The award's eligibility rules have evolved over time. Until 1995, only European players were eligible. From 1995 to 2006, any player at a European club could win. Since 2007, all players worldwide are included. Between 2007 and 2015, national team captains and managers also voted alongside journalists, and the award was temporarily merged with Fifa's prize. Fifa now runs its own separate award, but the Ballon d'Or remains more prestigious due to its longer history. Since 2022, voting is based on a single season rather than a calendar year.

Critics argue the award favors attacking players and those on successful teams. Only two defenders—Franz Beckenbauer and Fabio Cannavaro—and one goalkeeper, Lev Yashin, have ever won. Some believe collective success should matter less, while others question why only journalists vote. Despite these debates, the Ballon d'Or remains the sport's top individual honor.