The invention relates to a method for the production of an anti-friction bearing element (1) comprising a carrier metal which forms a back bearing side and a bearing metal, wherein the carrier metal is made from a bronze-based alloy. The bearing metal is also made from a bronze-based alloy, wherein the hardness of said bronze-based alloy is reduced at least in some areas by heat treatment, so that in the radial direction of the anti-friction bearing a hardness gradient is formed with increasing hardness in the direction of the back side (7) of the anti-friction bearing element (1).