How a French sports magazine became the ultimate arbiter of global football greatness
In short: Since 1946, France Football has evolved from a modest newsprint publication into a titan of sports journalism. Headquartered in Paris, the magazine is best known for its prestigious Ballon d'Or, an award that has defined the pinnacle of individual achievement in football for more than sixty years.
The publication traces its lineage back to the magazine Football, which served as a semi-official organ for the French Football Federation between 1927 and 1944. Following its launch in 1946, France Football initially relied on black-and-white newsprint. However, the introduction of a color front page in February 1977 marked a shift toward the high-quality, photograph-heavy aesthetic that characterizes its reputation today. This visual evolution mirrored a significant growth in readership, with circulation rising from 120,000 copies in 1975 to 213,000 by 2004.
Beyond its reporting on European leagues and UEFA Champions League statistics, the magazine is synonymous with the Ballon d'Or. Established in 1956 as the European Footballer of the Year award, the trophy has undergone various iterations, including a partnership with FIFA from 2010 to 2016. While the magazine resumed full control of the award in 2016, its influence extends to other honors, such as the French Player of the Year, which it has elected since 1959. It also previously recognized the best European club team between 1968 and 1990.
The magazine's ability to adapt was tested in 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic forced the cancellation of the traditional Ballon d'Or ceremony. In response, France Football pivoted to a global initiative, organizing a vote among 177 journalists from leading media outlets worldwide. This effort resulted in the selection of three symbolic 'dream teams' representing the greatest players in football history. Throughout its history, the magazine has frequently adjusted its publishing cadence, shifting between weekly formats and eventually settling on a Wednesday release schedule by 2015, ensuring its continued relevance in the fast-paced world of international football.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: France Football
- Also: Wikidata — France Football · CC0
- Also: Wikidata — football in France · CC0
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