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We analyse historical data to determine whether a goalkeeper can realistically hope to win the ‘Ballon d'Or’. What are the odds? Is it a pipe dream or a reality?

Only one footballer has ever won the ‘Ballon d'Or’ at the age of just 21, and he currently holds the record as the youngest winner in the award’s history.

We analysed the results since 1956 to find out whether World Cup glory is enough to make a player the favourite to win the ‘Ballon d'Or’ as the world’s best player.

The Ballon d'Or ceremony is fast approaching, and with it, the questions we're all asking. Among them: has a player ever been crowned without winning a team title? We dug through the archives and the data to find the answer.

Is winning football's most coveted individual award on the eve of a World Cup a blessing or an omen of failure? To answer this puzzle, we dive into the historical archives of the Ballon d'Or and track all the data since its creation in 1956. Discover how football's greatest award has intertwined with the fate of World Cups over seven decades.

Ballon d'Or’s all-time top scorer put in an outstanding performance at the 2026 World Cup. We take a look at his best statistics and all-time records.

Three players nominated for the ‘Ballon d'Or’ award will have to become Argentina’s new leading figures following the World Cup and the possible retirement of the veteran players.

In the fourth and final instalment of our series on the performances of the Kopa Trophy nominees at the 2026 World Cup, the spotlight is on João Neves, the Portuguese midfielder who was nominated for the award in 2024 and 2025.

The latest instalment in our four-part series, which analyses the performances of former Kopa Trophy nominees at the 2026 World Cup, focuses on Florian Wirtz. The German, who was nominated for the award in 2021 and 2022, arrived at the tournament as one of the German national team’s great hopes.

The latest in our four-part series assesses the World Cup output of Kopa Trophy nominee Ayyoub Bouaddi, whose stock has risen substantially following an impactful tournament.

In the first of a four-part series we assess the World Cup output of Kopa Trophy nominees, beginning with Turkey’s brightest talent, a runner-up in 2024.

The end of Neymar’s time with the Brazilian national team marked an emotional moment for football. From young stars to great legends, players from different generations were keen to pay tribute to one of the greatest names in the history of the ‘Amarelinha’.

With a midfield well-stocked with Ballon d’Or pedigree and a philosophy ingrained, La Roja have shown once again that nobody controls a narrative like they do.

Goals are usually the most memorable moments of a World Cup, but no team gets very far without a great goalkeeper. At the 2026 tournament, several nominees and winners of the Yashin Trophy defended their national teams and put in decisive performances. But who was the best performer throughout the tournament?

Despite his incredible performance in the final against Spain, the goalkeeper cast doubt on his future with the Argentina national team with some words that moved the nation.

As well as his defensive solidity, the young centre-back stood out at the World Cup for a quality that is unusual for a player in his position. We analyse the statistics that cemented his reputation.

All manner of records tumbled in the Americas this summer, with many of them broken by Ballon d’Or winners and nominees.

Battling cancer, Kevin Keegan passed away this Monday at 75. A two-time Ballon d'Or winner, in 1978 and 1979, the Englishman will remain a football icon. Our thoughts are with his family and loved ones.

After losing to Spain in the final, Lionel Scaloni cast doubt on his future as manager. We take a look back at the highlights of his time in charge of the ‘Albiceleste’.

Having recovered from a serious knee injury, Rodri Hernández led Spain to the title with record-breaking statistics and a masterclass in football in midfield. We take a look at the key aspects of a performance worthy of a ‘Ballon d'Or’.