ballon d'or™
70 YEARS, 70 TROPHIES, ONE MAISON
For 70 years, Mellerio has had the privilege of crafting one of the most recognisable trophies in the world. First created in 1956, the Ballon d’Or™ has accompanied seven decades of football history, passing from the hands of one generation of exceptional players to the next. Year after year, it has come to embody excellence, achievement and the pursuit of greatness.
1956-2026: CRAFTED BY HAND
Behind this universally recognised symbol lies another story: that of a French family Maison, its heritage and its craftsmanship. For Mellerio, creating the Ballon d’Or™ is not simply about producing a trophy. It is about giving form to an object destined to become part of history.
Its distinctive shape, precious finish and meticulous details require the same commitment to excellence that has defined the Maison for generations.
A SEVEN-DECADE TRADITION
Crafted by Mellerio according to the same process since 1956, each Ballon d’Or™ requires nearly 100 hours of meticulous craftsmanship, from hand-forming and engraving the trophy to its final gold finish.
The trophy is then carefully assembled onto its distinctive pyrite base, selected and shaped by Mellerio’s experts.
In the final stage, and kept strictly confidential until the very last moment, the name of the winning player is hand-engraved onto the trophy.
A LEGACY SHAPED BY MELLERIO
For seven decades, the Ballon d’Or™ has witnessed the evolution of football, passing from one generation of champions to the next. More than an award, it has become a universal symbol of achievement, renewed every year by the player who receives it.