The Ballon d'Or, which is awarded annually since 1956, is one of the most prestigious individual honours in football.
Wright blasts Man City's Haaland for throwing ball at Arsenal's Gabriel
Emiliano Martinez said he had always wanted to come to India.
Pele was eventually convinced to sign a multimillion-dollar deal with US club New York Santos in June 1975, aided by then-Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, who wrote a letter to the Brazilian government stressing how important his presence would be for bilateral relations.
Real Madrid's France forward Karim Benzema won the 2022 Ballon d'Or award for the best men's player in the world on Monday, while Barcelona's Spain midfielder Alexia Putellas won the women's award for a second time.
Take the rediff quiz on the quadrennial extravaganza and find out how good your football is.
Max Verstappen was named the 2022 Laureus Sportsman of the Year while Olympic sprint champion Elaine Thompson-Herah bagged the top women's honour
Readers select their favourite footballers.
Brazilian great Pele is not the only football star scheduled to touch down in Kolkata with Indian Super League team Atletico de Kolkata co-owner Sourav Ganguly claiming that England superstar Wayne Rooney would also be visiting the city later this year.
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