Weltfußballer des Jahres
Historically, the leading individual awards in association football were the Ballon d'Or and the FIFA World Player of the Year award. The original Ballon d'Or, also known as the European Footballer of the Year award, had been awarded by the French publication "France Football" since 1956. The FIFA World Player of the Year award was presented by FIFA, the sport's governing body, from 1991.