The Union of European Football Associations (UEFA), Europe’s football-governing body, has teamed up with the owner of French weekly magazine France Football and French daily newspaper L’Équipe, Groupe Amaury, to co-organise the Ballon d’Or ceremony from 2024 onwards.
France Football has presented the Ballon d’Or since 1956. While this multi-year agreement will see Groupe Amaury remain as the owner of the Ballon d’Or brand, UEFA will provide its “football expertise, market the global commercial rights and organise the annual awards gala”.
The award ceremony will also have two new categories added:
- Men’s Coach of the Year
- Women’s Coach of the Year
Aleksander ?eferin, President, UEFA, commented:
“For almost 70 years, the Ballon d’Or has stood as the most prestigious individual accolade in the world of football and is a testament to the extraordinary skill, dedication, and impact of the game’s legends and their enduring mark on the sport’s history. UEFA club and national team competitions, such as the UEFA Champions League and UEFA EURO, are regarded as the highest global stages for elite players, often playing a critical role in a players’ candidacy for major honours and their place in the football pantheon. UEFA and Ballon d’Or are synonyms of sporting excellence, so our partnership will be a natural blend of prominence and a synergy that promises to be nothing short of exceptional.“
Jean-Étienne Amaury, CEO, Groupe Amaury, added:
“The Ballon d’Or is the dream award for the world’s greatest players. We want to make the Ballon d’Or Awards Ceremony to be the global event that showcases and highlights the talent of top-level footballers in their individual and collective performances, to inspire all talents in football and aim to bring together the passion and enthusiasm of fans from all over the world.“
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