For the first time in its 64-year history, the Ballon d’Or will not be awarded in 2020 due to the impact the COVID-19 pandemic had on the soccer world.
France Football and organizer Group L’Équipe, which has given the annual award to the best male soccer star since 1956, announced the decision Monday. The award ceremony is in December.
“There will be no edition in 2020, because it turns out, after thoughtful consideration, that all the conditions are not met. We believe that such a singular year cannot — and should not — be treated as an ordinary one,” editor-in-chief of France Football Pascal Ferre said in a statement.