体坛英语新闻：FIFA World Player Of the Year award to merge with Ballon D'Or

"Not just for himself, but for the continent he represents as well. It's also a challenge because you have to work hard and have your work recognized by players, coaches and journalists. Because of that, the award has huge value and it's a real mission to try to stay at the same level."

The Ballon d'Or came into existence in 1956, and until 1994 it was presented to the best player from a European nation playing club football in a European league. Players no longer had to be European after a relaxing of the rules in 1995, but they still had to ply their trade on the Old Continent until 2007, when that condition was removed as well. The FIFA Player of the Year award operated according to the most recent version of those criteria after its creation in 1991.

The first Ballon d'Or was handed to Stanley Matthews in 1956, the 41-year-old English winger pipping Alfredo Di Stefano and Raymond Kopa to the prize. Then, 35 years later, the inaugural FIFA Player of the Year award went to German midfielder Lothar Matthaus, with Jean-Pierre Papin and Gary Lineker second and third in the standings.

Since 2005, the two honors have always gone to the same players, with Ronaldinho recognized in 2005, Fabio Cannavaro singled out in 2006, Kaka taking the plaudits in 2007, and 2008 winner Cristiano Ronaldo then giving way to Lionel Messi last year.