The three criteria for voting for the Ballon d'Or and how the behavior factor influences the final result

The countdown begins to find out the winner of the Ballon d'Or, whose ceremony will be held on Monday the 26th in London. Lamine Yamal, Harry Kane, Rodri, Fabián Ruiz, Erling Haaland, Achraf Hakimi... are some of the names among the possible candidates to win the prestigious award. But what criteria are taken into account to choose the best footballer of the year?

France Football, the organizer of the award, sets out three main evaluation criteria that the journalists responsible for voting must assess before delivering their verdict: the player's individual performance, collective results, and class and fair play. These factors serve as a reference for determining who has had the best footballing year.

Individual performance is the first major criterion and one of the key aspects in the selection. This section analyzes the footballer's contribution on the pitch: goals, assists, chances created, decisive actions, the ability to make a difference, take on responsibilities within the block...

Collective results also count and are the second major evaluation criterion. In this case, both the titles won with their club and the successes achieved with the national team come into play. We must not forget that, in this case, we are dealing with a World Cup year.

Behavior

Class and fair play are the third factor, and it is an aspect that goes beyond statistics and trophies. Sportsmanship, respect toward opponents, teammates, and referees, as well as the attitude shown on the pitch, are also part of the assessment. This section focuses on the behavior of footballers and on the way they compete.

The combination of individual performance, collective results, and class and fair play allows the jury to assess the candidates from a broader perspective. With all these factors on the table, the journalists decide which footballer has amassed the most merit to win one of the most prestigious individual honors in world football. The question will be settled on Monday the 26th, when the winner's name is announced and the race for the award comes to an end.