2020 Ballon d'Or: Covid-19 Forced Cancellation Of Prize

For the first time since the inception of the Ballon d'Or in 1956, the award ceremony will not be held this year over disruption caused by the coronavirus pandemic. 

Announcing the cancellation of the prize, the organizers France Football pointed out that the "exceptional circumstances" caused by the killer bug made it to call off this year's ceremony because it would not like to have an "indelible asterisk" on the awards given to the recipients. 

"Such a singular year cannot - and should not - be treated as an ordinary year," the organizers said in a statement on its official website. "When in doubt, it is better to abstain than to persist."

Argentine and Barcelona striker Lionel Messi set an all-time record for the prize after beating his Juventus rival Cristiano Ronaldo to win it for the sixth time last year. In the same year, American women footballer Megan Rapinoe won the women's category. 

It added, "Protecting the credibility and legitimacy of such an award also means ensuring its flawlessness over time. In these turbulent times, taking a break is a luxury and an invaluable necessity."