The dominion of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo in the Ballon d'Or sweepstakes could be drawing to a close after it was announced the prize-giving for Player of the Year will revert back to two awards.
The Independent's Jack Austin reported on Tuesday that France Football's relationship with FIFA will cease this year, meaning players will once again compete for two gongs—the Ballon d'Or and the FIFA World Player of the Year.
France Football partnered with FIFA in 2010 as part of a £13 million deal, and since then, Ronaldo (two wins) and Messi (four) have been the only players to add the Ballon d'Or to their trophy cabinets.