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In 2010, a new chapter in football was opened with the news that France Football’s Ballon d’Or and the FIFA World Player of the Year award merged, meaning that the world’s best player would be awarded the FIFA Ballon d’Or each year. In practical terms, the new FIFA Ballon d’Or award represents a fusion in terms of the voting procedure as well. Votes now come from the coaches and captains of international teams – as was previously the case for the FIFA Player of the Year – but also from journalists, who used to nominate France Football's Ballon d’Or winner.

The FIFA Women’s World Player of the Year trophy is also awarded at the FIFA Ballon d’Or Gala, as it used to be. Like the men, votes come from the coaches and captains of international teams as well as journalists.