'Possible but harder': Ballon d'Or says players can win award outside Europe

The Ballon d'Or has stated that there is no requirement for players to be at a European club to win the award, as restrictions were removed in 2007. Only Lionel Messi in 2023 (after joining Inter Miami) and Megan Rapinoe in 2019 (Seattle Reign FC) have won while playing outside Europe. The organisers acknowledge that most recent winners still played for European clubs.