Winners of the annual Ballon d’Or awards given to the world’s best male and female football players would now be chosen based on their season-long performance.

Since its establishment, the award has been awarded based on performances during a calendar year.

However, France Football magazine, the organizer of the Ballon d’Or, decided to change the consideration period and the number of judges.

The usual 170-panel of judges has been reduced to 100 for the men’s award, and 50 for the women’s award.

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According to Pascal Ferre of France Football, they “were judging based on two half seasons. This will be clearer. It’s an opportunity to give it a new impetus.”

The change in protocol is due to criticism of the choice of striker Lionel Messi as the 2021 Ballon d’Or winner.

Surprisingly, Messi was chosen as the winner over Robert Lewandowski, whose voice across football felt deserved the honor.

Ferre also added that more emphasis will be placed on the performances of individual players rather than the players’ team.

In a Twitter post, France Football describes their new rules as “less global but… much more demanding”.

The next Ballon d’Or award is scheduled for December 2026.

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