STORIES

In January 2025, in his home in Barcelona, Brazilian winger Raphinha welcomed France Football and Ballondor.com to discuss his ambitions, his journey, and his new status as one of the best attackers in the world.

Brazil and Morocco are set to face each other again at the 2026 World Cup in a clash that pits two of the most talented national teams on the planet against one another. Ahead of the Seleção’s opening match, we look back at the three previous encounters between the two nations and how the history of this rivalry has unfolded.

An exclusive look at the select group of legends who have gone on to become world champions and win the Ballon d’Or throughout history.

Luis Díaz heads Colombia’s 26-man squad for their first World Cup. We take a look at the statistics that show why the Bayern Munich player is in the best form of his career.

In an intimate conversation, ‘Fideo’ speaks candidly about his dream of winning the Copa Libertadores, the importance of mental health, his views on the new generation of the Argentina national team, and his golden years in Europe.

The 2026 World Cup will mark the end of a golden era in the history of the Ballon d'Or. We take a look at the legends who will be playing in their final World Cup.

With the World Cup just around the corner, we explore the DNA of Uruguayan football: a spirit of pride that turns adversity into triumph and aims to guide the 'Celeste' to another world title.

The footballing community was shook this week to hear of Kevin Keegan’s cancer diagnosis.

With a World Cup to focus on Barcelona’s midfield marvel shut down all speculation regarding his future this week.

For the first time in half a century Haiti are World Cup participants. Here is the extraordinary tale of a team exiled for their own safety hoping to inspire their long-suffering fellow countrymen.

The 26 players selected for the Spanish national team have arrived in the United States to compete in the World Cup. Find out which six players have already made their mark at the Ballon d'Or ceremonies.

Few national teams have arrived at a World Cup surrounded by as much expectation as Brazil did in 2006. Led by Ronaldo, Ronaldinho, Kaká and Adriano, the famous ‘Magic Quartet’ combined talent, trophies and individual prestige to a degree rarely seen in international football. Two decades on, the quartet is still remembered both for the enormous potential they displayed and for the sense that they could have achieved so much more.

Marquinhos has cemented his place at Paris Saint-Germain as one of the greatest icons of the club’s most successful era. As captain and a key figure in the team, the Brazilian centre-back has won numerous titles, broken records for longevity and leadership, and established himself as a central figure in building PSG’s recent dominance in European football.

In an intimate conversation, ‘Fideo’ speaks candidly about his dream of winning the Copa Libertadores, the importance of mental health, his views on the new generation of the Argentina national team, and his golden years in Europe.

The Argentina national team has travelled to the United States to defend their World Cup title. Find out which five players in the squad have previously been nominated for the Ballon d'Or.

Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Guillermo Ochoa have made history by being selected for their sixth World Cup. We take a look back at the tournament careers of these three Ballon d'Or legends.

Luis Enrique won his second consecutive Champions League title with PSG last weekend and has now established himself as one of the top five most successful managers in the history of the competition.

Throughout history, a number of players born in Brazil have chosen to represent other national teams in international football – and some of them have reached the very top of the sport. From José Altafini to Jorginho, these are the Brazilians nominated for the Ballon d'Or who have built remarkable careers away from the national team.

Seventy years ago the inaugural Ballon d’Or went to a celebrated Englishman, admired across the world for his skill and civility. On Monday 26 October, the ceremony returns to where a first champion was crowned.

With this year’s ceremony being held in London on Monday 26 October, one of the global capitals of the beautiful game, we explore the 70-year relationship between English football and the Ballon d’Or.