- Harry Kane is aiming to become the first English Ballon d’Or recipient in 25 years and Bayern Munich’s first victor since Karl-Heinz Rummenigge in 1981.
- Former AC Milan director Ariedo Braida revealed that Kaka’s 2007 Ballon d’Or victory prompted a written €105 million bid from Manchester City in 2008, underscoring the massive financial windfall tied to the award.
- The prize has evolved from a quiet European accolade into a commercially driven global spectacle marked by high stakes, transfer value surges, and intense international controversies.
The Evolution of Football’s Most Coveted Individual Honor
When Liverpool manager Gerard Houllier phoned Michael Owen to inform him that he had won the Ballon d’Or in 2001, the 22-year-old forward was so unfamiliar with the honor that he did not even know what it was. Owen participated in a photoshoot at Liverpool’s Melwood training ground two weeks prior to the public announcement, later receiving the trophy on the pitch at Anfield ahead of a fixture against Derby County. He was the first player representing an English club to capture the award since Manchester United legend George Best in 1968, ending decades of dominance by Italian, Spanish, and German clubs.
Since its inception in 1956, the Ballon d’Or has undergone significant structural transformations. Originally restricted strictly to European players, the eligibility criteria changed in 1995 when George Weah became the first and remain the sole African footballer to claim the trophy. It was not until 2007 that the competition expanded to encompass players from any club worldwide, followed by the introduction of an elite gala ceremony in 2011 and the launch of the women’s prize in 2018. Over the decades, the honor has evolved from a relatively understated continental award into the sport’s preeminent individual prize.
Commercial Power, Valuation Spikes, and Club Windfalls
Beyond individual glory, securing the trophy provides astronomical financial and marketing leverage for clubs. Former AC Milan director Ariedo Braida highlighted the transformative impact the award had on Brazilian playmaker Kaka following his win in 2007. Winning the Ballon d’Or has an extremely positive impact,
adds Braida. We at AC Milan bought Kaka for around 7.5m euros and sold him for 67m euros [to Real Madrid].
Braida emphasized that the accolade elevated the midfielder’s market stature virtually overnight: I must tell you, however, that in 2008, following his Ballon d’Or win in 2007, Manchester City made us a written offer of 105m euros. We’re talking about a written offer, not a sounding-out or mere words.
Reflecting on the long-term shift in the sport, Braida noted: We were probably still in the early stages of certain commercial developments at that time, but now it clearly has a massive impact. Even back then, his value increased fivefold and winning the Ballon d’Or brought him global exposure and fame.
Harry Kane’s Pursuit and the Bundesliga’s Long Drought
For England captain Harry Kane, the prospect of lifting the golden orb carries immense historical significance. Kane is hoping to become the first English winner in a quarter of a century and only the fifth in history, with the ceremony being staged in London to commemorate the 70th anniversary of Stanley Matthews winning the inaugural award. It would be a massive achievement if it did happen,
Kane said on Wednesday, having remained coy on his own chances.
While Kane has kept a low profile during interviews, prominent figures have championed his credentials, including Rio Ferdinand on Bayern Munich’s official social accounts, who enthusiastically posted: Ballon d’Or!
Kane is attempting to end a prolonged drought for his club and league; Bayern Munich has not celebrated a winner since Karl-Heinz Rummenigge secured his second straight title in 1981, and no Bundesliga player has claimed the prize since Borussia Dortmund defender Matthias Sammer triumphed 30 years ago.
Heartbreak, Politics, and Global Outcry
The intense spotlight on the prize has also generated profound grievances among contenders who felt overlooked. Bayern Munich experienced this directly with Robert Lewandowski in 2020. The Polish striker was widely considered the overwhelming favorite after scoring prolifically during Bayern’s six-trophy sweep—which included the UEFA Champions League—before the ceremony was called off due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Lewandowski, who later finished second behind Lionel Messi the following year, told BBC Sport that the prize has evolved into part football, partly politics
and was more commercial
than The Best FIFA Men’s Player award.
Such omissions have left lasting scars throughout the sport. Franck Ribery claimed it felt like a robbery
when Cristiano Ronaldo captured the honor ahead of him in 2013. The friction reached new heights in 2024 when Real Madrid completely boycotted the ceremony after discovering that Manchester City midfielder Rodri had won the vote over their forward, Vinicius Junior. In Brazil, the hype is also giant,
explains Caique Andrade, international football reporter at Globo. When Vini didn’t win the 2024 Ballon d’Or, there was a lot of commotion about it.
Why This Matters
The modern Ballon d’Or is no longer merely a sporting citation; it serves as a massive commercial engine that dictates player valuations, sponsorship deals, and global club branding. As Braida points out: It may be an individual award, but winning is huge for clubs, too.
He expanded on the modern reality, stating: This means an incredible impact in terms of popularity, visibility and also financial returns for the club,
explains Braida. Today, with the rise of social media and followers – factors that shape commercial aspects – this is even more true.
Emphasizing the overarching reach of the award, Kirkham concludes: It is a global point – that means more audience and more eyeballs, and that means more money around the world.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did the Ballon d’Or expand to include non-European players?
From its founding in 1956 until 1995, the award was exclusively reserved for European players. In 1995, eligibility was expanded to include non-Europeans playing for European clubs, leading to George Weah’s historic win. It was not until 2007 that eligibility opened completely to players representing any club across the globe.
How long has it been since an English player or a Bundesliga player won the trophy?
An English player has not won the Ballon d’Or in 25 years, with Michael Owen being the last to do so in 2001. Meanwhile, the German Bundesliga has experienced a 30-year absence from the podium, with Borussia Dortmund’s Matthias Sammer being the last representative to win the prize.
Why was Robert Lewandowski denied the award in 2020?
Despite winning all six available trophies with Bayern Munich—including the UEFA Champions League—and being the overwhelming favorite, the 2020 Ballon d’Or ceremony was cancelled entirely by organizers due to the global Covid-19 pandemic.
