What Is 2013 FIFA Ballon d'Or

Overview

The 2013 FIFA Ballon d'Or recognized the best male football player in the world for performances during the 2013 calendar year. Awarded on January 13, 2014, it marked a significant return to form for Cristiano Ronaldo, who claimed his second Ballon d'Or trophy after first winning in 2008.

This edition was part of the joint award era between FIFA and France Football, which lasted from 2010 to 2015. The winner was determined by votes from national team captains and coaches worldwide, with media representatives also contributing to the final tally.

• Cristiano Ronaldo won the 2013 award with 27.99% of the vote, securing a decisive lead over his closest rivals after a stellar year with Real Madrid and Portugal.
• He scored 69 goals in 59 appearances across all competitions in 2013, including 51 in La Liga and the Champions League, showcasing exceptional consistency and offensive dominance.
• Lionel Messi finished second with 24.72% of the vote, despite missing part of the year due to injury, highlighting his enduring reputation and impact when fit.
• Franck Ribéry of Bayern Munich came in third with 10.80%, recognized for his role in Bayern’s historic treble win: Bundesliga, DFB-Pokal, and UEFA Champions League.
• The ceremony was held in Zurich, Switzerland, continuing FIFA’s tradition of hosting the Ballon d'Or gala at the Kongresshaus during the FIFA World Player of the Year event.

How It Works

The FIFA Ballon d'Or voting process combined input from national team captains, coaches, and international media to determine the world’s best player.

• Eligibility Period: Players were judged on performances between January 1 and December 31, 2013, regardless of club or national team achievements.
• Voting Panel: Over 200 national team captains and head coaches each cast one vote, representing FIFA’s member associations during the selection process.
• Media Voters: Journalists from around the world contributed 25% of the total vote, with France Football managing the media balloting system.
• Scoring System: Voters ranked their top three players, with points assigned as 5 for first, 3 for second, and 1 for third place in the final tally.
• Transparency: Unlike earlier years, FIFA published the full voting breakdown in 2014, revealing exact percentages and rankings for the top candidates.
• Winner Announcement: The winner was revealed live at the gala event in Zurich, where Ronaldo accepted the trophy on stage with FIFA officials and football legends.

Comparison at a Glance

The final rankings and vote shares of the top contenders illustrate the competitive nature of the 2013 award.

The table highlights how narrowly Ronaldo edged out Messi, with a difference of just over 3 percentage points. Ribéry’s third-place finish reflected respect for Bayern’s treble, though his lower vote share indicated limited global support compared to the two dominant figures of the era.

Why It Matters

The 2013 FIFA Ballon d'Or was a pivotal moment in modern football history, reinforcing individual excellence amid intense club competition.

• Ronaldo’s win marked his reestablishment as the world’s best player after Messi had won the previous four awards from 2009 to 2012.
• It highlighted the growing influence of statistical performance, as Ronaldo’s 69-goal season played a major role in voter perception.
• The award underscored the importance of visibility and media presence, with Messi’s injury limiting his appearances and exposure.
• Bayern Munich’s treble was celebrated, but Ribéry’s third-place finish sparked debate about whether team success should outweigh individual brilliance.
• The transparent vote release set a new standard for accountability, influencing future award formats and public trust in the process.
• Ronaldo’s victory in 2013 laid the foundation for his legacy, eventually leading to five Ballon d'Or wins by the end of his career.

This award remains a key reference point in discussions about football’s greatest players, illustrating how individual accolades intersect with team achievements and global recognition.