Dhaka, Nov. 25 -- With a few days remaining before the Ballon d'Or winner is announced and the football fans all over the world rooting for their favourite player to win the award, one might wonder how this prestigious annual award given by France Football magazine works and why the award carries such an overwhelming influence and prestige in the footballing world.

History

France Football, the French weekly magazine responsible for this award, was established in 1946 and they awarded the inaugural Ballon d'Or in 1956 when Stanley Matthews of England won the trophy.

Initially, the trophy was restricted to players from Europe but the rule was changed in 1995 with George Weah becoming the first non-European to win this award.

The award w...