Ballon d’Or 2020 Award canceled due to coronavirus pandemic

(AFP): The Ballon d’Or, awarded annually to the world’s best footballer, will not be held this year because of the lack of sufficient fair conditions caused by the novel coronavirus pandemic.

Organisers France Football in a statement said, “For the first time in its history, which began in 1956, the Ballon d’Or will not be awarded in 2020, due to the lack of sufficient fair conditions.”

“Messi and Rapinoe (as well as [Mattijs] de Ligt and Alisson, winners of the Kopa and Yachine Trophies [for the young player and goalkeeper]) will have to wait a year,” the organisers added.

Organisers France Football further said, “Such a singular year cannot – and should not – be treated as an ordinary year. When in doubt, it is better to abstain than to persist.”

“This is the first time since 1956 that the Ballon d’Or has taken a break. The situation does not enchant us but seems to us the most responsible and logical decision. Protecting the credibility and legitimacy of such an award also means protecting it over time,” the statement added.

Barcelona’s Lionel Messi won the trophy in the men’s category last year, while US striker Megan Rapinoe won the women’s category. England’s Stanley Matthews was the first winner of the award when he was voted European Footballer of the Year.

Until 1995, the Ballon d’Or was only awarded to European players, when it was extended to any player from a European club. From 2007, it was extended to footballers from the rest of the world.

The prize has been dominated by Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo in recent times. The Barcelona superstar has six Ballons d’Or, with rival Cristiano Ronaldo of Juventus boasting five.