The years between 2010-2014 are discarded because it didn’t have the same system as the years before 2010 and after 2015. 2010-2015 were voted on by journalists, national team captains and national team coaches. The original (and current) Ballon d’Or system is voted on by journalists and only journalists.

I’m making this list because I see a misconception among fans that it’s odd that Messi’s getting the Ballon d’Or when previous winners have won it without winning the World Cup. That is true, but nowhere has it been stated that you have to win the World Cup to be the favorite. If you put in a strong showing and are instrumental in getting your country to the World Cup semis at least will, often times, be enough and outweigh everything else.

It’s also getting annoying how people (either willingly or unwillingly) keep comparing the 2010 and 2014 editions with other Ballon d’Ors when, for the umpteenth time, it wasn’t the same award. The voting system was totally different and therefore those years shouldn’t be compared.

Long story short: strong World Cup showing = Ballon d’Or favorite. Out of 12 World Cups, 6 have been awarded to the winner, 3 to a finalist and 3 to a semifinalist. The only exceptions are 1978 when Keegan didn’t go far with England in World Cup and 1986 when Belanov crashed out in the last 16 of the World Cup.

It is also worth mentioning that the awards surely would be awarded to an Argentinian during 1978 (Kempes) and 1986 (Maradona) as they won the World Cup. South Americans weren’t eligible for the award then so it only went to Europeans.

People keep talking about Haaland but aren’t taking their time to look at how things have been historically. He never had a chance. It was always going to be between Messi and Mbappe for this year’s edition.