Definition
The 1999 Ballon d'Or was an annual football award presented by the French magazine France Football to the male player deemed to have performed the best over the 1999 calendar year, as judged by a panel of international journalists.
Overview
The 1999 edition marked the 44th presentation of the Ballon d'Or. The award was won by Brazilian forward Rivaldo, who was playing for FC Barcelona at the time. The ceremony took place in Paris, France, where the winner received a gold-plated trophy. The voting process involved a shortlist of players compiled by France Football, after which each participating journalist allocated points to five selected players (5 points for first place, 4 for second, down to 1 point for fifth). Rivaldo received the highest total of points, surpassing other nominees such as David Beckham, Gabriel Batistuta, and Luis Figo.
Etymology/Origin
The term Ballon d'Or is French for “Golden Ball.” The award was created in 1956 by France Football to honor the best European footballer, with the eligibility criteria later expanded to include any player active at a European club (since 1995) and, eventually, to all players worldwide (since 2016).
Characteristics
- Eligibility (1999): Players of any nationality were eligible provided they played for a club affiliated with a UEFA member association during the 1999 season.
- Voting Body: A panel of roughly 140 sports journalists, each representing a different UEFA member country, cast votes.
- Scoring System: Each journalist ranked five players; points were allocated on a 5–4–3–2–1 basis. The player with the highest aggregate score won the award.
- Award Presentation: The winner was formally presented with a gold-plated trophy during a ceremony organized by France Football in Paris.
- Historical Context: Rivaldo’s victory reflected his influential role in Barcelona’s successful 1998–99 season, during which he contributed 24 league goals and helped the team win the UEFA Super Cup and the Spanish Supercopa.
Related Topics
- Ballon d'Or (general overview)
- 1998 Ballon d'Or
- 2000 Ballon d'Or
- FIFA World Player of the Year (merged with Ballon d'Or in 2010 to form the FIFA Ballon d'Or)
- Rivaldo’s career achievements
- France Football magazine
- UEFA (Union of European Football Associations)