Ballon d’Or: Markus Babbel calls competition the biggest clown competition in the world

Markus Babbel calls the Ballon d’Or an unnecessary clown‑competition of the world, while on Monday in London the award ceremony takes place as every year. The former German national player currently works as an expert in the football business and uses strong words to publicly express his disapproval.

Babbel, who previously played for the German national team, sees individual awards in team sport as outdated. He criticizes that players and clubs often react offended when their athletes are not selected.

He said: “I laugh myself to pieces every time, how then the people or even whole clubs are offended when their players are not selected.” For him the whole process is ridiculous.

German striker considered a top favorite for the 2026 Ballon d’Or

The Voting Process

The award is presented by the French football magazine France Football in cooperation with UEFA. For the men, a sportsperson from each of the hundred best football nations votes, for the women from the top fifty.

All jurors select ten players from a shortlist of thirty and award points ranging from fifteen for the first‑placed to one point for the tenth‑placed. This creates a ranking that is intended to determine the most highly regarded player in the world each year.

Babbel's sharp words show that the debate about the relevance of individual honours in football continues. Whether the organisers will respond to the criticism remains to be seen.