The Ballon d'Or transitioned from a European-exclusive award to a global honor through phased eligibility expansions.

Established in 1956 by Gabriel Hanot and Jacques Ferran, the award initially recognized only European players active in Europe. In 1995, eligibility expanded to include any player at a European club, allowing Liberia's George Weah to win. By 2007, the prize went fully global, opening up to any professional footballer worldwide. This structural evolution reflects soccer's shifting economic and geopolitical landscape over fifty years.