Soccer is the world’s most popular sport, and with its global reach comes a variety of prestigious awards that recognize excellence on the field. From individual accolades to team honors, these awards celebrate outstanding performances, technical brilliance, and exceptional achievements. Here are the ten most prestigious awards in soccer and their significance in the sport.
1. Ballon d’Or
The Ballon d’Or, awarded by France Football, is the most prestigious individual award in soccer. It has been given annually since 1956 to the best male footballer in the world. A women’s category, the Ballon d’Or Féminin, was introduced in 2018.
Notable Winners:
Lionel Messi (8-time winner)
Cristiano Ronaldo (5-time winner)
Michel Platini, Johan Cruyff, Marco van Basten (3-time winners)
2. FIFA World Player of the Year / The Best FIFA Men’s Player
Originally known as the FIFA World Player of the Year (1991-2009), this award merged with the Ballon d’Or between 2010-2015 to form the FIFA Ballon d’Or. In 2016, FIFA reintroduced it as The Best FIFA Men’s Player award. A women’s version, The Best FIFA Women’s Player, is also awarded.
Notable Winners:
Ronaldo Nazário (3-time winner)
Zinedine Zidane (3-time winner)
Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo (multiple winners)
3. UEFA Men’s Player of the Year
Established in 2011 by UEFA, this award is given to the best player in European club competitions. It was created to honor players excelling in UEFA tournaments such as the Champions League and Europa League.
Notable Winners:
Lionel Messi (2-time winner)
Cristiano Ronaldo (3-time winner)
Robert Lewandowski (2020 winner)
4. Golden Foot Award
Introduced in 2003, the Golden Foot Award is given to players over the age of 28 for their career achievements and longevity in the sport. Unlike other awards, winners leave their footprints on the Champions Promenade in Monaco.
Notable Winners:
Ronaldinho (2009 winner)
Zlatan Ibrahimović (2012 winner)
Luka Modrić (2019 winner)
5. Puskás Award
Named after Hungarian legend Ferenc Puskás, FIFA introduced this award in 2009 to recognize the most aesthetically beautiful goal scored in a given year.
Notable Winners:
Cristiano Ronaldo (2009 winner)
Neymar (2011 winner)
Mohamed Salah (2018 winner)
6. FIFA Club World Cup Golden Ball
This award is given to the best player of the FIFA Club World Cup tournament, which pits club champions from different continents against each other.
Notable Winners:
Lionel Messi (2009, 2011 winner)
Cristiano Ronaldo (2016 winner)
Luka Modrić (2017 winner)
7. FIFA World Cup Golden Ball
Awarded to the best player of the FIFA World Cup, this accolade is one of the most prestigious honors a footballer can receive in international football.
Notable Winners:
Diego Maradona (1986 winner)
Ronaldo Nazário (1998 winner)
Lionel Messi (2014, 2022 winner)
8. European Golden Shoe
This award is given annually to the top goal-scorer in European leagues. It was established in 1968 and is based on goals scored, adjusted for league difficulty.
Notable Winners:
Gerd Müller (2-time winner)
Lionel Messi (6-time winner)
Cristiano Ronaldo (4-time winner)
9. IFFHS World’s Best Playmaker
Introduced by the International Federation of Football History & Statistics (IFFHS), this award is given to the best creative playmaker in world football.
Notable Winners:
Xavi (4-time winner)
Andrés Iniesta (2-time winner)
Kevin De Bruyne (multiple-time winner)
10. Kopa Trophy
Named after French footballer Raymond Kopa, the Kopa Trophy is awarded by France Football to the best-performing player under the age of 21. It was introduced in 2018.
Notable Winners:
Kylian Mbappé (2018 winner)
Pedri (2021 winner)
Jude Bellingham (2023 winner)
Conclusion
These ten prestigious awards showcase the best talents, achievements, and contributions in soccer. Whether recognizing a player’s individual brilliance, career longevity, or creative playmaking, these accolades play a crucial role in celebrating excellence in the sport. As soccer continues to evolve, these awards will remain key markers of greatness, honoring those who leave an indelible mark on the game.
