Who is mvp in football

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Last updated: April 8, 2026

Quick Answer: In American football, the MVP (Most Valuable Player) is awarded annually to the league's top performer, with Patrick Mahomes winning the 2022 NFL MVP award after throwing for 5,250 yards and 41 touchdowns. In association football (soccer), the Ballon d'Or is considered the premier individual award, with Lionel Messi winning a record eight times, most recently in 2023. The FIFA Best Men's Player award, established in 2016, has been won by Messi three times (2019, 2022, 2023).

Key Facts

Patrick Mahomes won the 2022 NFL MVP with 5,250 passing yards and 41 touchdowns
Lionel Messi holds the record with 8 Ballon d'Or wins (2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2019, 2021, 2023)
The FIFA Best Men's Player award was established in 2016, replacing the FIFA World Player of the Year
The NFL MVP award has been given since 1957, with Peyton Manning holding the record with 5 wins
Cristiano Ronaldo has won 5 Ballon d'Or awards (2008, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017)

Overview

The concept of MVP (Most Valuable Player) in football varies significantly between American football and association football (soccer), reflecting different sporting cultures and award systems. In American football, particularly the NFL, the MVP is a prestigious annual award given to the single most outstanding player, typically determined by media voting. The award has been presented since 1957, with quarterbacks dominating recent decades due to their central role in offensive strategy.

In association football, multiple MVP-style awards exist globally, with the Ballon d'Or representing the most prestigious individual honor since its establishment in 1956. Unlike American football's single MVP award, soccer features various awards including FIFA's The Best, UEFA Player of the Year, and league-specific MVPs across different competitions. These awards recognize exceptional performance over a calendar year rather than a single season, with voting conducted by journalists, coaches, and players.

How It Works

The selection processes and criteria for football MVP awards differ substantially between sports and organizations.

NFL MVP Selection: The Associated Press NFL Most Valuable Player Award is determined by a panel of 50 sportswriters and broadcasters who vote at the end of the regular season. Players receive points on a 10-5-3-2-1 basis, with the winner typically being a quarterback (33 of the last 40 awards). Statistical dominance, team success, and clutch performances are key factors, with recent winners like Patrick Mahomes (2022) posting exceptional numbers including 5,250 passing yards and 41 touchdowns.
Ballon d'Or Voting: Organized by France Football magazine, the Ballon d'Or uses a points system where 100 journalists from FIFA's top 100 ranked nations each select five players. The first choice receives 6 points, second gets 4, third gets 3, fourth gets 2, and fifth gets 1 point. Performance in major tournaments, individual statistics, and overall influence on team success are primary considerations, with Lionel Messi's 2023 win coming after leading Argentina to World Cup victory.
FIFA The Best Awards: Established in 2016, FIFA's awards involve voting by national team captains (25%), coaches (25%), media (25%), and fans (25%). The process considers performance from August to July rather than calendar year, creating overlap with the Ballon d'Or timeline. Cristiano Ronaldo won the inaugural men's award in 2016 after leading Portugal to European Championship victory.
League-Specific Awards: Major soccer leagues like the English Premier League, La Liga, and Bundesliga have their own MVP awards with varying selection methods. The Premier League Player of the Season combines fan votes (10%) with panel decisions (90%), while Serie A's MVP is chosen by coaches, players, and journalists from each position category.

Key Comparisons

Feature	NFL MVP	Ballon d'Or
Selection Panel	50 AP sportswriters/broadcasters	100 international journalists
Voting Timeline	Regular season performance only	Calendar year performance
Position Dominance	Quarterbacks (66% of awards)	Forwards (70% of awards)
Team Success Weight	High (90% of winners from playoff teams)	Moderate (major tournament success crucial)
Statistical Emphasis	Quantifiable metrics (yards, touchdowns)	Combined stats and qualitative impact
Record Holder	Peyton Manning (5 awards)	Lionel Messi (8 awards)

Why It Matters

Career Legacy Impact: MVP awards significantly enhance player legacies and Hall of Fame credentials. In the NFL, all multiple MVP winners except for one are in the Hall of Fame, while in soccer, Ballon d'Or wins often define eras—Messi's 8 awards versus Ronaldo's 5 has fueled the greatest individual rivalry in sports history. These honors can increase endorsement value by 30-50% for winners.
Historical Measurement: MVP awards serve as historical benchmarks for comparing players across generations. Jim Brown's 3 NFL MVPs in the 1960s established running back dominance, while the Ballon d'Or's expansion to global players in 1995 (previously European only) created new historical contexts, with non-European winners like George Weah (1995) and Ronaldinho (2005) breaking continental barriers.
Strategic Evolution: Award trends reflect tactical changes in both sports. The NFL's shift toward passing offenses is evident in 15 of the last 20 MVPs being quarterbacks, while soccer's increasing emphasis on goal contributions has seen midfielders like Luka Modrić (2018 Ballon d'Or) break forward dominance only twice in 15 years.

The future of MVP awards will likely evolve with changing statistical analytics and global media landscapes. Advanced metrics like Expected Goals (xG) in soccer and QBR in football are increasingly influencing voter perceptions, while expanded global fan voting components may democratize but also complicate selection processes. As both sports continue to globalize, these awards will remain crucial for defining excellence, though debates about their criteria and selection methods will persist as part of their enduring significance in football culture worldwide.