
<p><strong><a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/cristiano-ronaldo/">Cristiano Ronaldo</a> and <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/lionel-messi/">Lionel Messi</a> are once again at the center of soccer’s greatest debate as France Football introduces a special award celebrating the most iconic Ballon d’Or-winning performances in history.</strong> The new initiative brings together legends from different generations, allowing supporters to revisit some of the sport’s most memorable individual achievements and decide which deserves the ultimate recognition.</p>



<p>The announcement comes as the prestigious award celebrates its 70th anniversary in 2026. However, the format introduces an unusual twist that could make the competition far more unpredictable than a conventional vote for the greatest player of all time.</p>



<p>France Soccer, the magazine behind the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/ballon-dor/">Ballon d’Or</a> since 1956, has unveiled the <strong>Ballon d’Or Of All Time (B.O.A.T.)</strong>, a public vote designed to identify the greatest individual Ballon d’Or-winning year in soccer history. Rather than simply selecting a player, voters must decide which specific winning campaign deserves to stand above the rest.</p>



<p>The distinction matters because a player with multiple Ballon d’Or trophies has several eligible seasons competing for votes. Messi, for example, has eight winning years represented, while Ronaldo has five, potentially dividing support between their individual achievements.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" width="1920" height="1080" src="https://media.worldsoccertalk.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2026/05/05130005/ronaldo-messi-2-1920x1080.webp" alt="ronaldo messi" class="wp-image-641120"><figcaption>FIFA Ballon d’Or nominees Lionel Messi of Argentina and FC Barcelona (L) and Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal and Real Madrid (R)</figcaption></figure>



<h2>Full list of the 10 nominees</h2>



<p>The shortlist features <strong>10 legendary players who have won the Ballon d’Or at least twice</strong> during their careers.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-table"><table><tbody><tr><th>Player</th><th>Country</th><th>Wins</th><th>Winning Years</th></tr><tr><td>Lionel Messi</td><td>Argentina</td><td>8</td><td>2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2019, 2021, 2023</td></tr><tr><td>Cristiano Ronaldo</td><td>Portugal</td><td>5</td><td>2008, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017</td></tr><tr><td>Michel Platini</td><td>France</td><td>3</td><td>1983, 1984, 1985</td></tr><tr><td>Johan Cruyff</td><td>Netherlands</td><td>3</td><td>1971, 1973, 1974</td></tr><tr><td>Marco van Basten</td><td>Netherlands</td><td>3</td><td>1988, 1989, 1992</td></tr><tr><td>Alfredo Di Stefano</td><td>Spain</td><td>2</td><td>1957, 1959</td></tr><tr><td>Franz Beckenbauer</td><td>West Germany</td><td>2</td><td>1972, 1976</td></tr><tr><td>Kevin Keegan</td><td>England</td><td>2</td><td>1978, 1979</td></tr><tr><td>Karl-Heinz Rummenigge</td><td>West Germany</td><td>2</td><td>1980, 1981</td></tr><tr><td>Ronaldo Nazario</td><td>Brazil</td><td>2</td><td>1997, 2002</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>



<p>Messi leads the historical standings with eight Ballon d’Or victories, followed by Ronaldo with five. Platini, Cruyff and Van Basten each collected three trophies, while the remaining five nominees won twice.</p>



<h2>Eligibility rules: Why some legends are missing</h2>



<p>The organizers restricted eligibility to players who have won the Ballon d’Or <strong>at least twice</strong>, immediately excluding famous one-time winners such as Zinedine Zidane, Ronaldinho and Eusebio. Pele and Diego Maradona are also absent, but for a different historical reason.</p>



<p>During their playing careers, the Ballon d’Or was restricted to European players, meaning the two South American icons were not eligible under the award’s original rules. The shortlist therefore reflects the history and eligibility criteria of the traditional prize rather than a comprehensive ranking of every player who has ever played the game.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" width="1920" height="1080" src="https://media.worldsoccertalk.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2026/09/18144507/ballon-dor-1-1920x1080.webp" alt="ballon d&apos;or" class="wp-image-675879"><figcaption>A general view of the Ballon D’Or trophy</figcaption></figure>



<h2>Voting deadline, cost and prize explained</h2>



<p>Fans can vote through the <em>official Ballon d’Or website</em> until <strong>October 27, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Paris time</strong>. Each vote costs <strong>€1</strong>, and supporters can submit multiple votes rather than being restricted to a single choice.</p>



<p>According to the published details, participants receive access to an iconic Ballon d’Or photograph and an opportunity to win <strong>two tickets to the 2027 Ballon d’Or ceremony</strong>. The B.O.A.T. results are scheduled to be announced on October 28, two days after the main 2026 ceremony at London’s Palladium on October 26.</p>


Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi headline new Ballon d’Or Of All Time award: Full nominee list, eligibility rules, voting deadline, and prize explained

Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi headline new Ballon d’Or Of All Time award: Full nominee list, eligibility rules, voting deadline, and prize explained - World Soccer Talk

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<p>The World Cup in 2006 may be the subject of bribes and corruption. For years, investigations and reports have tainted the World Cup in <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/nations/germany-national-team-tv-schedule/">Germany</a> from that year. Now, the case is officially going to court to determine if there was a slush fund to bring one more vote to Germany. By the end, Germany had one more vote than South Africa, which gave the Germans the right to host the tournament. </p>



<p>Now, prosecutors claim the German Football Association (DFB) claimed tax evasion on a payment between Franz Beckenbauer and a Qatari official. For years, the focus of the bribery case centered around corruption. However, that fell out of FIFA’s Statute of Limitations for initiating legal proceedings as the process had gone on too long. Yet, the case on tax evasion is still legitimate. If found guilty, certain officials could face up to 10 years in prison.</p>



<p>The suspicious payments come from a $6.5 million payment from former Adidas CEO Robert Louis-Dreyfus to German icon Franz Beckenbauer. Beckenbauer then allegedly wired that money to a Qatari official, Mohammed bin Hammam. He cast a vote in the selection process for the 2006 World Cup. According to the <em><a href="https://www.ft.com/content/debfa54c-803f-4339-88b8-1ac4be33b7b3" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Financial Times</a></em>, the DFB repaid the $6.5 million loan to Louis-Dreyfus three years later. Prosecutors said the DFB channeled that loan through FIFA. In doing so, Germany hid its true intention, which was to pay for a vote. While this all may seem like suspicious activity, previous investigations into the DFB and FIFA were inconclusive.</p>



<p>Instead, the tax implications on repaying Louis-Dreyfus constitute tax evasion, according to the prosecutors. The DFB listed the payment as a business expense. Thus, it illicitly claimed tax relief on repaying the loan on Beckenbauer’s behalf. As stated, the DFB paid that money through FIFA. The official word was that the DFB was paying for a gala night in Germany for the FIFA World Cup. That night never happened, and FIFA wired the money to Louis-Dreyfus the next day.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" width="1200" height="670" src="https://media.worldsoccertalk.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/03/16044743/Germany-2006-1200x670-1200x670.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-493028" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px"></figure>



<h2>Connection to bribes for the World Cup in 2006</h2>



<p>Previous investigations found that the DFB deliberately masked the payment on behalf of Beckenbauer. However, that case failed to show a concrete connection with hosting rights for the 2006 World Cup. </p>



<p>That tournament eventually led to Italy winning the competition for the fourth time. Germany finished third after losing to the Italians in extra time in the semifinals. Unfortunately, the controversy surrounding the bidding process for the World Cup in 2006 started a train of bribery and corruption accusations within FIFA. The 2022 World Cup in Qatar drew considerable ire with connections to bribery. In relation to 2006, all involved parties maintain that they did not pay for the World Cup. </p>



<p>“The persecution of celebrities appears to have been more important than uncovering the truth,” Hans-Jörg Metz, a lawyer for Zwanziger, said about a biased investigation.</p>



<p>Beckenbauer, a major player in this case, <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/beckenbauer-denies-2006-bid-corruption-says-he-often-signed-documents-without-reading-them-20151121-CMS-157717.html">passed away earlier in 2024</a>. He maintained his innocence when critics would mention his involvement in bringing the World Cup to Germany in 2006. </p>



<p><em>PHOTOS: IMAGO</em></p>



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<div class="ck-youtube"><iframe loading="lazy" title="How FIFA corrupted the World Cup" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/BlKVfJg4hHE?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>
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Court takes Germans to trial over alleged World Cup 2006 bribes

The World Cup in 2006 may be the subject of bribes and corruption, but the current court case focuses on tax evasion.

<p>One of the most legendary players in the history of soccer in <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/nations/germany-national-team-tv-schedule/">Germany</a>, Franz Beckenbauer, passed away on Monday. The star’s family confirmed his passing to German news agency DPA. </p>



<p>“It is with deep sadness that we announce that my husband and our father, Franz Beckenbauer, passed away peacefully in his sleep yesterday, Sunday, surrounded by his family,” the family said.</p>



<p>Beckenbauer had been out of the public spotlight for years after a scandal regarding <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/2006-world-cup-bid-corruption-fifa-branz-beckenabuer-germany-20151124-CMS-157982.html">Germany’s hosting of the 2006 World Cup</a>. The FIFA Ethics Committee banned Beckenbauer for 90 days for failing to cooperate in awarding the hosting duties of the 2018 and 2022 World Cups. However, his time on the pitch demonstrated the legendary status of Beckenbauer with Germany and <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/bayern-munich-tv-schedule/">Bayern Munic</a>h.</p>



<h2>Franz Beckenbauer had masterful career with Bayern and Germany</h2>



<p>Beckenbauer won the World Cup in 1974, while also finishing as the runner-up and third-place finisher with Germany before that. With Bayern Munich, Beckenbauer won everything possible. The highlight of that was three straight European Cups. Beckenbauer was the captain of Bayern Munich during that dominant spell. Likewise, he captained Germany during its success in 1974.</p>



<p>Beckenbauer was the second German to win the Ballon d’Or, an award which he won twice. He remains the only German to win multiple Ballon d’Or awards. After his fruitful playing career with Bayern Munich, Beckenbauer made the switch to the New York Cosmos. There, he succeeded Pele on the New York Cosmos. The German spent a total of six seasons over two stints with the Cosmos. He won the North American Soccer League three times with New York.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><div><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1200" height="675" src="https://media.worldsoccertalk.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/01/16050921/Franz-Beckenbauer-Germany-1200x675-1200x675.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-481967" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px"></figure></div></figure>



<p>Beckenbauer’s legacy is far greater than just his illustrious playing days. After retirement from playing in 1983, Beckenbauer took over as the head coach of West Germany in 1984, where he succeeded Jupp Derwall. Immediately, Germany was a strong team. It finished as the runner-up at the World Cup in 1986, where West Germany lost to Diego Maradona and Argentina in Mexico City. In 1988, West Germany reached the semifinals of the European Championship in 1988. Then, in 1990, West Germany won its third World Cup after finishing runner-up in each of the two previous tournaments. Beckenbauer coached West Germany to victory over Argentina.</p>



<h2>Backroom staff with Bayern and Germany</h2>



<p>After his managerial days, Beckenbauer became the President of Bayern Munich. From that time until 2009, he helped Bayern Munich become one of the most dominant teams in Europe. However, the side failed to win the Champions League during his time as the President.</p>



<p>At the same time, Beckenbauer was an official to help the German national team. He played a role in getting Germany to host the 2006 World Cup. That was the first time Germany hosted the World Cup since winning the competition in 1974 when Beckenbauer was the captain. He attended 46 of 64 games in Germany as he traversed the country via helicopter.</p>



<p>Unfortunately, <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/beckenbauer-denies-2006-bid-corruption-says-he-often-signed-documents-without-reading-them-20151121-CMS-157717.html">controversy tarnished an otherwise flawless career</a> as a player and manager. Despite any issues, he remains one of the best German soccer players and managers of all time.</p>



<p><em>PHOTOS: IMAGO</em>.</p>


Germany icon Franz Beckenbauer dies at age 78

One of the most legendary players in the history of soccer in Germany, Franz Beckenbauer, passed away on Monday.

Germany icon Franz Beckenbauer dies at age 78 - World Soccer Talk

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Germany icon Franz Beckenbauer dies at age 78