How does politics shape seemingly non-political debates? This paper investigates voting patterns in celebrity soccer elections, specifically the Ballon d'Or. By analyzing historical results alongside an original survey of fans, we reveal a clear hierarchy favoring certain types of players (dynamic scorers) and show growing vote concentration over time. Importantly, political concepts like partisanship demonstrate surprising relevance even in sports voting.
Data & Methods: Historical Ballon d'Or results combined with new survey data from soccer enthusiasts globally.
Key Findings: Soccer fans increasingly favor players fitting a specific profile (dynamic scorers). This preference signals an emerging consensus on what makes a player 'the best.'
Why It Matters: A political science perspective offers valuable insights into the mechanics of celebrity endorsement and public opinion formation in non-traditional domains.
The Partisanship Angle: Analysis shows partisanship influences voting for top players, suggesting political dynamics even in contexts where fans claim neutrality.
