The Chinese Super League has rapidly developed into one of Asia’s premier football competitions, drawing increasing global attention. Just days ago, Guangzhou Evergrande advanced from the AFC Champions League group stage, marking a historic moment as all Chinese teams progressed to the knockout round. For the first time ever, an all-Chinese derby will take place in the AFC Round of 16—further proof of China’s growing football strength.
Meanwhile, the national team is also showing new life in the Asian qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup in Russia. After a sluggish start, China is now battling hard to stay in the running. Despite these encouraging developments, there is still no official award recognizing the best all-around Chinese football player of the year.
To address this gap, the “China Ballon d’Or” has been established. Unlike the existing “Best Domestic Player in the Chinese Super League” award, this new honor will evaluate a player’s performance across the CSL, Chinese FA Cup, AFC Champions League, and national team matches. The goal is to create a fair and comprehensive award reflecting total yearly achievement.
Similar to the global Ballon d’Or, the China Ballon d’Or will also consider a player’s character, leadership qualities, and overall impact on their team and club. The winner must be someone who embodies excellence on and off the pitch. Titan Sports Media Group, the only authorized Chinese voting body for the global Ballon d’Or, founded the Asia Ballon d’Or in 2013 in collaboration with top media across Asia. That award recognizes the best-performing Asian footballer each year.
The launch of the China Ballon d’Or completes a powerful trio of awards—global, continental, and national—all rooted in media-driven evaluation, ensuring transparency, professionalism, and credibility. The inaugural China Ballon d’Or will be awarded in 2017, with judges drawn from leading outlets such as Xinhua News Agency, Titan Sports Weekly, major sports websites, and professional media across mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan.
The final shortlist will be revealed shortly after the CSL concludes in early November, and voting will then begin. The winner of the 2017 China Ballon d’Or will be officially announced by year’s end.
Just as the Live Cricket BPL continues to energize cricket fans with its dynamic format and star performances, China’s new football award seeks to bring similar prestige and recognition to its top football talent. With both football and Live Cricket BPL gaining ground across Asia, the region is fast becoming a powerhouse of elite sporting competition.