# Ballon d'Or Qualifications: Eligibility, Shortlist Criteria, and Voting Process ## Eligibility Criteria To be eligible for the Ballon d'Or, a male footballer must meet the following criteria: - Be over the age of 18 on December 31 of the previous year. - Have played for a men's professional football club during the previous season. - Not have been banned from any football-related activity by FIFA or any national football association for a period exceeding three months during the previous season. ## Shortlist Criteria The initial shortlist of 30 players is selected by a group of international journalists appointed by France Football. The criteria for selection include: - Individual performance during the previous season. - Collective achievements with club and country. - Fair play and charisma. ## Voting Process The final winner is selected by a jury of international journalists, with each journalist casting a single vote. The voting process takes place in two stages: **1. Nomination:** Each journalist nominates five players in order of preference. The five players receiving the most nominations are shortlisted for the final award. **2. Voting:** A second round of voting is held to determine the winner. Each journalist casts a single vote for the player they believe to be the most deserving of the award. The player with the most votes is crowned the Ballon d'Or winner. ## Key Dates - **November:** The initial shortlist of 30 players is announced. - **December:** The final winner is announced at a ceremony in Paris. ## Past Winners The Ballon d'Or has been awarded since 1956. Some of the most notable past winners include: - Lionel Messi (7 wins) - Cristiano Ronaldo (5 wins) - Johan Cruyff (3 wins) - Michel Platini (3 wins) - Franz Beckenbauer (2 wins)
