The "" (French for "Golden Ball") is a football award, created in 1956 by the French football magazine France Football. It is usually known in English as the European Footballer of the Year award.

The award is given annually to the player considered to have performed the best over the previous year. In order to qualify for selection, the player must have been playing for a club based within UEFA's jurisdiction. Until 1995, a player also had to be of European nationality to be eligible. Voting for the award is undertaken by a group of European football journalists.

Only three players have managed to win the award three times, namely Johan Cruijff and Marco van Basten of the Netherlands, and Michel Platini of France.

Ballon d'Or Winners

See also

• FIFA World Player of the Year
• European Golden Boot
• Onze Mondial European Footballer of the Year
• World Soccer Player of the Year

External links

Football (soccer) awards | European Footballers of the Year

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