Would You Rather: Win the Ballon d’Or or the FIFA World Player of the Year Award?

By: Daryl | November 4th, 2009

token_well_done Most would agree that the Ballon d’Or and the FIFA World Player of the Year awards are the two biggest individual honours a footballer can win. Bigger even than my Netherton Colts East U-14 Manager’s Player of the Year Runner-Up trophy (pictured?). But which award is really the one to win?

The Ballon d’Or has the longer history, going all the way back to 1956 when Stanley Matthews won the inaugural edition. It’s awarded by a panel of football journalists, so that give sit some sort of expert observer legitimacy. But until 1995 it was limited to European players only, and from 1995 to 2007 to European based players only. Only since 2007 has the award been open to any footballer in the world.

The FIFA World Player of the Year award is a lot younger. It’s only been around since 1991, when Lothar Matthäus was the first winner (the female award started in 2001). FIFA draws up a shortlist and then national team coaches and captains vote to decide the winner.

Aesthetically, I’ve got to go with the Ballon d’Or. It’s a golden ball, obviously. While the FIFA WPotY trophy looks a bit like, well, like my Netherton Colts East U-14 Manager’s Player of the Year Runner-Up trophy. Though I’m assuming it cost a little more. But it’s not necessarily about aesthetics.

Of course, according to Cristiano Ronaldo “the Castrol Rankings is the ranking that every player wants to top.” But since no one is paying you to endorse their award, you might feel differently.

So, imagine you’re a top level professional player who just had a fantastic 2009. Which award would you rather win? Ballon d’Or or FIFA WPotY? And why?

This year’s shortlists: Ballon d’Or, FIFA WPotY

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Category: World Football

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Gus Bodur

Behind the scenes with the Ballon D'Or and a London based company Golden Balls. Watch the video which explains what's gone on, it's interesting viewing.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v...
Mooon

I only played a few years ago, think it was between 99 and 2004, I suspected I may be a little younger than you Daryl. Nevertheless it's a bit of a coincidence I've been visiting this site for a year and never knew we had played for the same club lol.
Thomas

Ballon d'Or.
elle

why do I have this memory of reading somewhere the Ballon d'Or was kind of cursed or something? Hasn't almost every player's, in about the last 10 years, career gone down hill almost directly after they won that award?

there's a very good chance I'm wrong but if I'm not I'd take the Fifa award.
Daryl

What year Mooon? I played a season for Bullets and wore those same yellow and blue kits. Dudley Wood was our home pitch, near the speedway. 99% sure it was around 1996, and we finished second in the league before disbanding.
Mustafa

I'd take Ballon d'Or too.... it seems like a more prestigious award, considering its been around longer
Mooon

I played for Brierley Hill Bullets, dodgey yellow and blue kits, even dodgier style of football. We were like a poor man's Hull City.
Sarah

But given that the Ballon d'Or is only open to men, I guess that realistically can't happen....
Sarah

Well given that 7 of the last winners of the Ballon D'or have gone on to win the FIFA Player of the Year Award I would say the Ballon d'Or. Those winners include Zidane (98 only), Rivaldo, Ronaldo, Ronaldinho, Cannavaro, Kaka and CR7. And Messi is likely to win both this year.
Daryl

Ha, hi Mooon,

Good to hear from another former Stourbridge & District Youth league player! Who was your team?
Mooon

Firstly, it has to be the Ballon d'Or, it's a much more prestigious and historic award and it will always mean more than the political after thought that is Fifa's trophy.
And secondly, I played against Netherton Colts as a kid! Always a pretty rough team though, how many players did you kick to win that award, eh Daryl?