On Tuesday, the English league's most famous winger is set to be handed the Ballon D'Or in Paris. Most of Europe agrees. Some do not. Reputation over reality they argue.

But the last time a player of exactly that description won the award – indeed the first time it was given out – is illustrative. In 1956, Stanley Matthews helped Blackpool to a distant second place in the First Division behind the Busby Babes, and England to beat Brazil 4-2 in a friendly. Doesn't quite compare to 42 goals, a league medal, a Champions League medal and a strike in that final, as Cristiano Ronaldo did. But at 40, Matthews was really being rewarded for 23 years in the game prior to that, as opposed to the one he'd just had. A true case of reputation over reality, but there was very little disagreement.

Originally devised by France Football magazine to reward the player who performed best in Europe over a calendar year, that effective lifetime achievement award Matthews got was however one of the few anomalies in the Ballon D'Or's distinguished 52-year history. Since then, the greatest players have all won it in their greatest period: George Best in 1968, Johan Cruyff three times in the '70s, Michel Platini the same amount in the '80s. With that kind of roll call it to some extent became the de facto confirmation of the 'current best player in the world'. Even if it didn't always cover the world, unlike Fifa's award started in 1991.

Indeed, before 1995 the Ballon D'Or was only open to European players at European clubs. Most obviously that meant Diego Maradona at Napoli and Alfredo Di Stefano at Real Madrid – in 1956 – missed out (although by declaring for Spain the following year, Di Stefano eventually won two). The likes of Ronaldinho and Kaka have rectified that, and since the latter won last year the competition has been opened completely – Pele would have denied Gerd Muller in 1970 by the same rules.

Those increased parameters though have also called into question where a player should be rewarded for. Because despite Ronaldo's club form, his underwhelming Euro 2008 has led to a growing lobby in Spain for one of Xavi, Iker Casillas, Fernando Torres or David Villa. Likewise Leo Messi for the Olympics and his sheer ability. And along those lines, Ronaldo – who has already spoken presumptuously about it – should bear in mind the example of a compatriot. In 1962, Eusebio seemingly single-footedly won the European Cup for Benfica, but was denied by Josef Masopust's feats in leading Czechoslovakia to the World Cup final.

But then, the overwhelming majority of those leading such lobbying don't have a vote. Journalists do. Or rather, 96 journalists around the world do, with two from each of the Uefa countries. In England, one is the Daily Telegraph's Henry Winter; in Northern Ireland, one is Jackie Fullerton. Here it's France Football's Irish correspondent Paul Kelly and RTÉ's Jimmy Magee. Voting for the award since Kevin Keegan won it in 1978, Magee says he doesn't know why he was selected but that it remains a huge privilege.

"I suppose I must have been seen around the stadia and competitions of Europe and Paul [Kelly] asked me to come on board. It is a real honour though. And amazingly, my votes have often matched the winners."

When it comes to those votes, Magee and the 95 others are sent a form asking them to make a "selection of the world's best five footballers this calendar year in order of merit" from a shortlist of 30 according to four criteria: a) combination of individual and collective performances, b) talent and sportsmanship, c) career and d) personality and impact. Those they pick first get five points, the last one point. However, the fact it's over a year surely renders (c) irrelevant and many would balk at (b) and (d) being applied to Ronaldo.

Whatever way you look at it though, the best player in the world usually means, in practical terms, those technically excelling in their position and exerting maximum influence: Franz Beckenbauer winning a third European Cup and guiding Germany to the Euro '76 final for example (interestingly, Ronaldo came closer than anyone to a clean sweep of league, Champions League and international competition). As for position? Beckenbauer was an exception as normally it's one of the advanced ones. Out of 52 Ballons D'Or, one has been handed to a goalkeeper (Lev Yashin), four to a defender (three to Beckenbauer) and just two to orthodox central midfielders. Playmakers and strikers dominate. It's the same with this year's shortlist where just 13 of the 30 do not play so high up the field. Magee agrees in that sense it's skewed.

"Well one of my own great regrets is that Paulo Maldini was never acknowledged. Defenders are second-class citizens aren't they? I've personally voted for defenders and goalkeepers but in that sense there is certainly a showbiz side."

Never did that ring so true as in 1999 when David Beckham finished second and Roy Keane barely made the shortlist. Magee counters "well I voted for Keane. And Beckham didn't win it that year. Rivaldo did. So I wouldn't say there is a flaw. Look down through the years. You'd agree with most of them. And if you look at it objectively Ronaldo has been one of the most effective players this year. And great to watch."

As to who Magee voted for this year? "I'm not allowed to tell. But you can guess!"

mdelaney@tribune.ie