Ballon d'Or contenders must excel on and off the field
2 sources • 1 min read • Latest: Oct 21, 2026, 2:54 PM
Last updated Oct 21, 2026
To be a contender for the Ballon d'Or, players must now excel beyond their on-field performances, according to ESPN Soccer. The prestigious award requires athletes to build a compelling narrative in the media and garner public support. This shift reflects the evolving of individual accolades in soccer, where personal branding plays an increasingly vital role. Players seeking the coveted trophy need to invest significant effort into their public relations strategies and performance metrics over the season.
- •Ballon d'Or requires more than on-field performance
- •Media presence is crucial for contenders
- •Athletes must craft compelling narratives
- •Public relations efforts are essential
- •Individual awards continue to evolve in soccer
- 3:26 PMESPN — What it takes to win a Ballon d'Or: Trophies, goals and playing the PR game
"It's no longer enough to be the best on-field player in order to have a shot at the Ballon d'Or, soccer's top individual prize. You have to make your case in the media, too -- and it takes a lot of work.
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