Inside the Ballon d'Or: Journalist reveals which year was 'hardest vote' and why he picked Lionel Messi over Liverpool star

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What goes on behind the scenes in the Ballon d'Or? How do voters decide on their picks? TNT Sports has sought to unveil some of the mystique surrounding the prestigious award by talking to a journalist who has voted on the award since 2011, as he revealed a thorny decision he was torn over. Watch and stream the UEFA Champions League season on TNT Sports and discovery+.

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The Ballon d'Or is an award that has taken on huge significance in football over recent years, with Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo's duopoly taking it to new heights. With a number of star names starting to position themselves for individual and collective glory in the 2025/26 season, TNT Sports spoke to Romanian journalist Emanuel Rosu, who has voted on the Ballon d'Or for the last 15 years, to understand what lies behind the voting process - and which year was the hardest vote he has ever had...

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TNT Sports: Emanuel, how do you typically decide your Ballon d'Or vote?

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Emanuel Rosu: I take a few days to decide. I've developed a personal point-based system which I use to determine my final hierarchy.

I never send the vote right away, as this award is much more than adding some numbers. I need to say this is valid for my system, but also for those who aggressively point at the stats to justify an option or another.

The responsibility for this vote is huge, from my point of view, so I do my best to deliver a vote that is fair above anything else.

TNT: Who did you vote for last season and why?

ER: I went for Ousmane Dembele, Lamine Yamal and Achraf Hakimi as my top 3, in that order. I think Dembele found a brilliant mix between quality, influence during games and numbers to make his case.

Yamal is an extraordinary teenager, often enchanting at the highest level, against the biggest opponents, while Hakimi's contribution for Paris Saint-Germain during their best season ever was extraordinary.

I placed Nuno Mendes fourth, as both PSG full-backs excelled last season. They played huge roles and their contribution must not be left unacknowledged.

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TNT: How secretive is the process?

ER: It is more a matter of respect for the public, for the players and for those who host the event.

The whole process is really transparent; all the votes are published. There is no space for errors, as the points are added based on each vote.

The mystery surrounding the winner contributes to the aura of the Ballon d'Or. I guess the identity of the winner is the only secret that France Football is keeping until the end of the gala. Apart from that, there are no secrets.

TNT: What did you make of the Messi-Ronaldo duopoly over the years?

ER: I think we, the journalists, are way too small in front of such greatness. But before being journalists, we are all football fans. And when you see the big ones act, you must recognise greatness and make the most of it.

That's what I did as a professional writer and a football supporter. I know it's a cliche, but we are really fortunate to be able to express our feelings, echoing millions around the world - or antagonising others.

In the end, that's the beauty of this sport we love: talent, controversy, greatness, drama, laughs, tears, humanity and passion mingling delightfully.

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TNT: How many years have you been voting for the Ballon d'Or? Which year was hardest? How has the prestige of the award changed over the years?

ER: I've been voting for almost 15 years now. I think the hardest was 2019, when I re-did my rankings twice before sending it over to France Football. I opted for Lionel Messi over Virgil van Dijk and I still believe I made the right call.

I think the Ballon d'Or's prestige is solid. Most of the people who are contesting its credibility are probably not familiar with the voting system. With social media peaking, every fan can have a loud voice and, for some, I'm sure this non-stop debating is part of the charm this award has.

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TNT: Should the Ballon d'Or go to the best individual player in the world, or to a player whose team won big trophies?

ER: I think the best player in the world should win the Ballon d'Or. There were years when extraordinary individuals didn't have their best campaigns and that's when players who excelled in other aspects of the game took the trophy home.

And this sends a powerful message too: you don't have to be the most skilled in your class in order to be the best, in the end.

TNT: Which of the Ballon d'Or voting categories is most key for you?

1) Individual performances, decisive and impressive character
2) Team performances and achievements, or
3) Class and fair play

ER: I believe the Ballon d'Or should go to the best player in the world. With that in mind, I take all the criteria suggested by France Football as seriously as possible.

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