Overlooked, underestimated, yet once again decisive when it mattered most, the Brazilian star left Jeddah with a trophy in his hands and a message that would soon echo far beyond the stadium.

When Lionel Messi and Robert Lewandowski crossed paths on soccer’s biggest stage, it was clear that something more than simple competitive fire was at play.

Yet as the countdown to the 2026 World Cup continues, an uncomfortable question is beginning to surface: What if winning the Ballon d’Or no longer guarantees even a starting place for your country?

After outshining Lamine Yamal in the La Liga MVP award, Raphinha took on the chance to take subtle jab to the Ballon d'Or,

Erling Haaland is surging with ruthless efficiency, Lamine Yamal continues his meteoric rise, and — in a twist few expected — Lionel Messi has re-entered the debate entirely.

Lamine Yamal has learned, far too early, what it means to live under constant scrutiny at the elite level. At Barcelona, pressure is not seasonal—it is permanent.

After the repeated snubs suffered in 2025, FC Barcelona star Raphinha delivered a sharp six-word message on the Ballon d'Or.

After claiming the FIFA The Best and Ballon d’Or in 2025, Ousmane Dembélé has now joined an elite club with Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.

The world of soccer has two awards that stand above the rest: the Ballon d'Or, presented by France Football, and The Best, organized by FIFA. What are the key differences between the two?

Lamine Yamal has emerged as one of the world's best players and a top contender for the Ballon d'Or. Despite his being rank second in the recent edition, legend Wesley Sneijder omitted him as a candidate for the 2026 award, opting surprisingly for another player.

Dismissing Ousmane Dembele and Lamine Yamal, Atletico Madrid legendary head coach Diego Simeone addressed who should've been the true winner of the 2025 Ballon d'Or.

Portugal’s Vitinha delivered a standout performance for Paris Saint-Germain against Tottenham in the Champions League and was named the favorite to win the 2026 Ballon d’Or.

As the latest recognition from Italy confirms, Modric has accomplished a milestone in Milan that he astonishingly never reached during his long spells at Real Madrid or Tottenham.

The Brazilian forward delivered a blistering rant after finishing outside the top three in the Ballon d’Or standings — a reaction that Neymar, who has defended him publicly, would surely nod along to.

In just over a decade, Kylian Mbappe has emerged as one of the world's top players, despite not yet securing a Ballon d'Or. Marcel Desailly, a 1998 World Cup winner, discusses a key attribute the Real Madrid star needs to elevate to clinch the desired award.