Ballon d’Or of All-Time: everything you need to know about the voting process

Just a few days before the 2026 Ballon d’Or deadline, another initiative is drawing attention this Tuesday.

Indeed, the Ballon d’Or has announced the launch of the “Ballon d’Or of All-Time”. The vote is intended to determine the greatest player in history among footballers who have won the award at least twice. A total of ten legends feature in this selection. Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are naturally included, alongside Alfredo Di Stefano, Marco van Basten, Johan Cruyff, Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, Michel Platini, Ronaldo Nazário, Kevin Keegan and Franz Beckenbauer.

The B.O.A.T is already sparking debate

The participation rules for the B.O.A.T give the initiative a more surprising dimension. To vote, participants must first create an account on the official website, be at least 18 years old and purchase an iconic digital photograph of the Ballon d’Or for one euro. The purchase is required to access the vote and also makes it possible to join a community presented as exclusive, with additional benefits. It is also possible to submit multiple votes, provided that a new photograph is purchased for each vote.

The initiative is therefore not limited to a free supporters’ poll, as it involves a financial contribution, albeit a modest one. The good news is that participants can try to win two tickets to the 2027 Ballon d’Or ceremony. An independent draw will determine the winner from among the valid entries, while the results are due to be announced on October 28.

The initiative could be suspended

Already presented as a celebration of football history, the “Ballon d’Or of All-Time” combines a paid public vote with a prize draw whose main prize consists of two tickets to the next ceremony. Voting is open until October 27, 2026, at 11:59 p.m., and the terms and conditions specify that the organizers may modify or suspend the initiative under certain circumstances.

Also read: 2026 Ballon d’Or: Serge Gnabry names his favorite

They also provide for identity checks, the exclusion of fraudulent entries and the application of Irish law, since the vote is operated by Amaury International Team Limited, based in Dublin.

Joshua SOSSOU

Editorfr, en, ar

As a sports fan, and particularly a football fan, I've been putting my writing talent to good use for a number of years now to promote African talent and the continent's football in general. On Foot Africa, enjoy reading each of my lines.