Genuinely asking, what exactly are the criteria for winning the Ballon d’Or? Because it feels like the standards change every year. Raphinha won the treble with Barca and finished as the top scorer in both La Liga and the UCL , yet couldn’t win the Ballon d’Or. But the same criteria earned Harry Kane the 2026 Ballon d’Or. Rodri won the 2026 World Cup and was Player of the Tournament, yet the same World Cup argument that helped Messi win the 2023 Ballon d’Or didn’t work for Rodri. So what exactly are the criteria? Individual performances, trophies or international success? Or does the standard change depending on the player? #BallonDior