Ballon d'Or rule changes announced after controversial Lionel Messi triumph

Rangnick explains Ronaldo absence for Man Utd in derby defeat

Mikel Arteta reviews Arsenal's performance against Watford

Roman Abramovich added to the UK's sanctions list

Mazepin hits out at Haas over contract termination

Ralf Rangnick on next permanent Man Utd manager

Pep Guardiola sympathises with Thomas Tuchel and Chelsea’s players

Thomas Tuchel reacts to strange day at Chelsea

Djokovic admits attending interview with journalist while Covid positive

Ukraine: Fire near the Kharkiv Institute of Physics and Technology

Conte urges Tottenham to remain focused ahead of facing Man Utd

Klitschko says ‘my heart is bleeding’ at deaths of Ukrainian children

Ballon d’Or organisers France Football have decided to make four key changes to the process for the 2022 award.

Lionel Messi won the 2021 edition of the Ballon d’Or in November – his seventh – beating Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski and Chelsea midfielder Jorginho to the award.

Messi collected the award after helping Argentina win the Copa America and Barcelona claim the Copa del Rey.

France Football introduced the Ballon d’Or Feminin in 2018 and last year’s award went to Barcelona midfielder Alexia Putellas.

The award for the best men’s and women’s player – as well as the Kopa Trophy for the best player under the age of 21 and the Yashin Trophy for the best goalkeeper – is voted for by journalists, captains and coaches.

It has been running in one form or another since 1956, but the organisers have now decided to ratify changes to the way it is run.

As per France Football , they are as follows:

A change from judging by years to by seasons: decisions will now be based on performances between the traditional season of August and July, rather than calendar