(Reuters) – UEFA has announced a partnership with Groupe Amaury to co-organise the renowned Ballon d’Or awards starting from 2024, according to Europe’s soccer governing body.
Groupe Amaury, the owner of media companies France Football and L’Equipe, will retain ownership of the Ballon d’Or brand and will continue to manage the voting system independently.
UEFA will now take charge of the annual gala and will handle the global commercial rights, in addition to introducing two new awards for the best men’s and women’s coach of the year.
Consequently, UEFA’s existing awards for the best player and best coach will no longer exist. However, UEFA will still present the President’s Award and prizes for the best player in each of their competitions.
“For almost 70 years, the Ballon d’Or has been recognized as the most prestigious individual accolade in the world of football, symbolizing the exceptional skill, dedication, and impact of football legends on the sport’s history,” said UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin.
“UEFA club and national team competitions are widely regarded as the top global platforms for elite players, often playing a crucial role in their candidacy for major honors and their place among football’s greatest.
“With UEFA and Ballon d’Or being synonymous with sporting excellence, this partnership will create a natural blend of prominence and synergy, promising an extraordinary collaboration.”
Between 2010 and 2015, FIFA had partnered with the Ballon d’Or before introducing “The Best” awards in 2016, which have been held annually since then.
On Monday, Argentina captain Lionel Messi secured an unprecedented eighth Ballon d’Or as the world’s best player, while Spain’s World Cup-winning Barcelona midfielder Aitana Bonmati clinched the women’s award.
(Reporting by Rohith Nair in Bengaluru; editing by Ed Osmond)
