Everyone knows the Ballon d’Or, but what is its history? The famous award was created in 1956 by the then director of France Football magazine and precursor of the European Cup, Gabriel Hanot. Stanley Matthews was its first winner. It was merged in 2010 with the FIFA World Player of the Year, an agreement that came to an end in 2015.
The trophy has seen many stars of the king of sports win it and has changed its rules and aesthetics over the more than 60 years that it has been awarded.
Initially it was only for European players, which is why Diego Armando Maradona was never able to win it. Then it became a full competition among all footballers in the world, leading to a few years in which the player could be of any nationality but had to play for a European club.
What is it made of?
To make this trophy, two brass plates are embossed, an alloy of copper and zinc (which gives it a shine similar to gold). This is also how the trophy is shaped into a semi-sphere and the main motif of the trophy is created: a football. The goldsmith then welds the two pieces together with a blowtorch, while the chiseler fills the ball with a wax-like material and shapes the seams of the ball with a chisel and hammer. Finally, the resulting trophy is plated in fine gold with the France Football logo already engraved on it and then the name of the winner of that year’s trophy is marked. Finally, it is fixed to a pedestal whose formation has a pyrite base.
What are its characteristics?
The current Ballon d’Or measures 31 centimetres high, 23 long and 23 wide, and weighs 7.200 kilograms.
How much does it cost?
Its economic value is slightly more than 3,000 euros, although its true value is symbolic, something incalculable for footballers.
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