Source: USA TODAY Sports/Sam Navarro
[Saba Sports News] According to recent reports from foreign media, 2029 marks the second 40-year anniversary of the Super Ballon d’Or. The Ballon d’Or was introduced by France Football in 1956 and awards winners annually, while the Super Ballon d’Or has only been awarded once, with Alfredo Di Stefano being the first recipient in 1989. The Super Ballon d’Or is awarded every 40 years, and many players hope to compete for this award in 2029. The award takes into account the entire career achievements of the winning player and their overall impact on their respective teams and football as a whole. Currently, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are among the most talked-about candidates; they have collectively won 13 Ballon d’Or awards—Messi with 8 and Ronaldo with 5. Messi is known for his exceptional skills and leadership abilities, making him one of the most decorated players in football history with 46 trophies, including the 2022 World Cup. Ronaldo is recognized as the all-time leading goal scorer, having netted 907 goals in 1,246 matches.