Ballon D Or
In short
The Ballon d'Or is an annual football award given to the best player in the world based on their performance over the previous season. It has been presented by the French magazine France Football since 1956.
In plain words
It is a prestigious trophy for football players. Experts and journalists vote for the person they think played the best throughout the year. Winning it is considered one of the highest honours in the sport.
A simple example
If a striker scores fifty goals and wins the Champions League in a single season, they are a top candidate to win the trophy.
Why it matters
It defines greatness in professional football and helps build a player's legacy. It is the most recognised individual prize in the game.
Easy to mix up
Do not confuse it with the FIFA Best award, which is organised by the football governing body rather than a magazine.