The Ballon d'Or: From Messi-Ronaldo Dominance to a New Era of Competition

The Ballon d'Or: A Shift in the Dynamics of Football's Top Award Spain - June 10, 2025 - A recent TikTok video by sports journalist Josep🎙️ sparked a discussion about the changing landscape of the Ballon d'Or award. Josep argues that the selection process was significantly easier when Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo dominated the football world. In the past, the choice often seemed obvious, a two-horse race between these two titans. "Messi y Cristiano hacían fácil el balón de oro," he states in the video, highlighting the straightforward nature of the award during their peak years. However, Josep points out that the award's selection has become increasingly complex in recent years. He uses the example of Karim Benzema's win, suggesting that while the decision was ultimately clear, it wasn't as straightforward as in previous years. The emergence of other talented players such as Mohamed Salah and Pedri has added another layer of complexity to the selection process. The video concludes with a reflection on the increasing number of potential candidates for the award each year. Josep's analysis offers a valuable insight into the evolution of the Ballon d'Or and the changing dynamics of the football world, reminding us that even a seemingly simple award can reflect the broader shifts in the sport itself.