by All about Ballon d'Or
The Ballon d’Or, meaning “Golden Ball” in French, is an esteemed individual award presented annually to the best football player in the world. Established in 1956 by the French football magazine France Football, it initially honored the top European player before expanding its scope globally. Over the years, the Ballon d’Or has become one of the most prestigious accolades in football, eagerly awaited by players, fans, and pundits alike.
The award is decided by a vote among international journalists, coaches, and national team captains, who select their top three players of the year. Each nominee’s performances across club and international competitions, including leagues, cup tournaments, and major championships, are taken into account.
Winning the Ballon d’Or is a testament to a player’s exceptional skill, consistency, and impact on the sport. Legends such as Pelé, Diego Maradona, Johan Cruyff, Lionel Messi, and Cristiano Ronaldo have all been recipients, etching their names into football history alongside this prestigious accolade. The Ballon d’Or ceremony is a highlight of the football calendar, celebrating the remarkable talents that grace the beautiful game.
Winners List
1956: Stanley Matthews (England)
1957: Alfredo Di Stefano (Argentina/Spain)
1958: Raymond Kopa (France)
1959: Alfredo Di Stefano (Argentina/Spain)
1960: Luis Suárez (Spain)
1961: Omar Sívori (Argentina)
1962: Josef Masopust (Czechoslovakia)
1963: Lev Yashin (Soviet Union)
1964: Denis Law (Scotland)
1965: Eusébio (Portugal)
1966: Bobby Charlton (England)
1967: Flórián Albert (Hungary)
1968: George Best (Northern Ireland)
1969: Gianni Rivera (Italy)
1970: Gerd Müller (West Germany)
1971: Johan Cruyff (Netherlands)
1972: Franz Beckenbauer (West Germany)
1973: Johan Cruyff (Netherlands)
1974: Johan Cruyff (Netherlands)
1975: Oleg Blokhin (Soviet Union)
1976: Franz Beckenbauer (West Germany)
1977: Allan Simonsen (Denmark)
1978: Kevin Keegan (England)
1979: Kevin Keegan (England)
1980: Karl-Heinz Rummenigge (West Germany)
1981: Karl-Heinz Rummenigge (West Germany)
1982: Paolo Rossi (Italy)
1983: Michel Platini (France)
1984: Michel Platini (France)
1985: Michel Platini (France)
1986: Igor Belanov (Soviet Union)
1987: Ruud Gullit (Netherlands)
1988: Marco van Basten (Netherlands)
1989: Marco van Basten (Netherlands)
1990: Lothar Matthäus (West Germany)
1991: Jean-Pierre Papin (France)
1992: Marco van Basten (Netherlands)
1993: Roberto Baggio (Italy)
1994: Hristo Stoichkov (Bulgaria)
1995: George Weah (Liberia)
1996: Matthias Sammer (Germany)
1997: Ronaldo (Brazil)
1998: Zinedine Zidane (France)
1999: Rivaldo (Brazil)
2000: Luís Figo (Portugal)
2001: Michael Owen (England)
2002: Ronaldo (Brazil)
2003: Pavel Nedvěd (Czech Republic)
2004: Andriy Shevchenko (Ukraine)
2005: Ronaldinho (Brazil)
2006: Fabio Cannavaro (Italy)
2007: Kaká (Brazil)
2008: Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal)
2009: Lionel Messi (Argentina)
2010: Lionel Messi (Argentina)
2011: Lionel Messi (Argentina)
2012: Lionel Messi (Argentina)
2013: Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal)
2014: Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal)
2015: Lionel Messi (Argentina)
2016: Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal)
2017: Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal)
2018: Luka Modrić (Croatia)
2019: Lionel Messi (Argentina)
2020: Cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic
2021: Lionel Messi (Argentina)
2022: Karim Benzema (France)
2023: Lionel Messi (Argentina)
