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UEFA announces their merger with the Ballon d'Or and scrapping of the UEFA Awards.
The European football ruling body (UEFA) has announced a partnership with the organisers of the Ballon d’Or.
France Football’s prize is the most coveted award in world football, and Argentina international Lionel Messi recently picked up his eighth.
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The gala where Messi and Aitana Bonmati were crowned best men’s and women’s footballers, respectively, is set to become the last of its current iteration, as the award will take on a new look in its next edition.
Such a partnership is not unprecedented, as France Football previously merged their Ballon d’Or with FIFA’s World Player of the Year Award; however, that partnership was shortlived, lasting only six editions from 2010-2015.
What to expect from the merger
The European football administrators announced today that they reached a partnership with Group Amaury, the parent company of Ballon d’Or organisers, France Football.
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The award’s current voting system will continue as it were, and the brand will remain a product of Group Amaury, but as a result of the partnership, UEFA will be contributing their expertise and commercial rights. The merger also births new award categories; the men's and women's coach of the year.
However, this partnership means the dissolution of the current UEFA Awards, meaning the current Ballon d’Or Men’s Player of the Year, Messi, who, magnificently, never managed to win the standalone UEFA Player of the Year, will not get another chance at the coveted gong.
UEFA’s statement
“UEFA and Groupe Amaury, owner of media companies France Football and L’Équipe, have today announced a partnership to co-organise the renowned Ballon d'Or® from 2024. Together, UEFA and Groupe Amaury aim to enhance the stature and global reach of the awards while fostering a sense of unity and collaboration within the football community.”
“As part of the agreement, Groupe Amaury remains the owner of the Ballon d’Or® brand and will continue to oversee the voting system, which will remain unchanged and independent. UEFA will contribute its football expertise, market the global commercial rights and organise the annual awards gala.”
Meanwhile, Lionel Messi brought his shiny eighth Ballon d'Or trophy to Inter Miami, leaving everyone stunned.
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