Ballon d’Or: A Timeline of Football’s Greatest Players
By Playspots Sep 18, 2024
The Ballon d’Or, awarded by France Football, has been football’s most prestigious individual honor since 1956. Each year, it recognizes the best player in the world, and its winners are some of the game’s greatest talents. This article provides a detailed look at the history of the Ballon d’Or, key moments in its legacy, and the remarkable players who have won the award.
Key Milestones in Ballon d’Or History
Over the years, the Ballon d’Or has been shaped by many historic moments and legendary players. Here are some defining milestones in the award’s evolution:
1956: The First-Ever Ballon d’Or Winner
Stanley Matthews became the first recipient of the Ballon d’Or in 1956, honored for his exceptional performances for Blackpool at the age of 41. His win established the award as the ultimate accolade in world football.
1963: Lev Yashin Becomes the Only Goalkeeper to Win
Soviet goalkeeper Lev Yashin, known as the “Black Spider,” revolutionized the role of goalkeepers and became the only player in his position to win the Ballon d’Or in 1963.
1971-1974: Johan Cruyff’s Dominance and ‘Total Football’
Johan Cruyff redefined modern football with his mastery of “Total Football,” winning the Ballon d’Or three times (1971, 1973, and 1974). His influence on Dutch football and his stints with Ajax and Barcelona remain legendary.
1983-1985: Michel Platini’s Record-Breaking Streak
Michel Platini became the first player to win three consecutive Ballon d’Ors (1983, 1984, 1985), showcasing his brilliance as the driving force behind Juventus and France’s successes during the 1980s.
1995: George Weah Breaks Barriers
George Weah made history in 1995 as the first African and non-European player to win the Ballon d’Or. His performances at AC Milan and influence in the football world made him a trailblazer for global diversity in the award’s selection.
2008: Cristiano Ronaldo’s First Triumph
Cristiano Ronaldo won his first Ballon d’Or in 2008 after a sensational season with Manchester United, marking the beginning of a legendary rivalry with Lionel Messi that would shape football for the next decade.
2009: Lionel Messi’s First of Many
In 2009, Lionel Messi claimed his first Ballon d’Or following a treble-winning season with Barcelona, signaling the start of a remarkable era of dominance.
2008-2017: The Era of Ronaldo vs. Messi
From 2008 to 2017, Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi shared the Ballon d’Or nine times, creating one of the greatest rivalries in football history.
Ronaldo won the award in 2008, 2013, 2014, 2016, and 2017 for his extraordinary goal-scoring feats with Manchester United and Real Madrid.
Messi took home the trophy in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, and 2015, dazzling the world with his playmaking and genius for Barcelona.
2018: Luka Modrić Ends the Messi-Ronaldo Domination
Luka Modrić became the first player in a decade to break the Messi-Ronaldo hold on the Ballon d’Or in 2018, earning recognition for leading Croatia to the World Cup final and winning the Champions League with Real Madrid.
2023: Messi’s Record-Breaking 8th Ballon d’Or
Lionel Messi won his historic 8th Ballon d’Or in 2023 after leading Argentina to World Cup glory in 2022, further cementing his status as the greatest player in football history.
The Complete List of Ballon d’Or Winners
Here is a year-by-year breakdown of every Ballon d’Or winner:
1956: Stanley Matthews (Blackpool)
1957: Alfredo Di Stéfano (Real Madrid)
1958: Raymond Kopa (Real Madrid)
1959: Alfredo Di Stéfano (Real Madrid)
1960: Luis Suárez (Barcelona)
1961: Omar Sívori (Juventus)
1962: Josef Masopust (Dukla Prague)
1963: Lev Yashin (Dynamo Moscow) – The only goalkeeper to ever win the award.
1964: Denis Law (Manchester United)
1965: Eusébio (Benfica)
1966: Bobby Charlton (Manchester United)
1967: Florian Albert (Ferencváros)
1968: George Best (Manchester United)
1969: Gianni Rivera (AC Milan)
1970: Gerd Müller (Bayern Munich)
1971: Johan Cruyff (Ajax)
1972: Franz Beckenbauer (Bayern Munich)
1973: Johan Cruyff (Barcelona)
1974: Johan Cruyff (Barcelona) – Became the first player to win three Ballon d’Ors.
1975: Oleg Blokhin (Dynamo Kyiv)
1976: Franz Beckenbauer (Bayern Munich)
1977: Allan Simonsen (Borussia Mönchengladbach)
1978: Kevin Keegan (Hamburg)
1979: Kevin Keegan (Hamburg)
1980: Karl-Heinz Rummenigge (Bayern Munich)
1981: Karl-Heinz Rummenigge (Bayern Munich)
1982: Paolo Rossi (Juventus) – After leading Italy to the World Cup.
1983: Michel Platini (Juventus)
1984: Michel Platini (Juventus)
1985: Michel Platini (Juventus) – The first player to win three consecutive Ballon d’Ors.
1986: Igor Belanov (Dynamo Kyiv)
1987: Ruud Gullit (AC Milan)
1988: Marco van Basten (AC Milan)
1989: Marco van Basten (AC Milan)
1990: Lothar Matthäus (Inter Milan)
1991: Jean-Pierre Papin (Marseille)
1992: Marco van Basten (AC Milan) – His third Ballon d’Or win.
1993: Roberto Baggio (Juventus)
1994: Hristo Stoichkov (Barcelona)
1995: George Weah (AC Milan) – The first non-European to win the award.
1996: Matthias Sammer (Borussia Dortmund)
1997: Ronaldo Nazário (Inter Milan) – At 21, the youngest Ballon d’Or winner.
1998: Zinedine Zidane (Juventus)
1999: Rivaldo (Barcelona)
2000: Luís Figo (Real Madrid)
2001: Michael Owen (Liverpool)
2002: Ronaldo Nazário (Real Madrid)
2003: Pavel Nedvěd (Juventus)
2004: Andriy Shevchenko (AC Milan)
2005: Ronaldinho (Barcelona)
2006: Fabio Cannavaro (Real Madrid) – One of the few defenders to win.
2007: Kaká (AC Milan)
2008: Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United) – Won his first Ballon d’Or.
2009: Lionel Messi (Barcelona) – Started his historic dominance.
2010: Lionel Messi (Barcelona)
2011: Lionel Messi (Barcelona)
2012: Lionel Messi (Barcelona) – First player to win four consecutive awards.
2013: Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid)
2014: Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid)
2015: Lionel Messi (Barcelona)
2016: Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid)
2017: Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid) – His fifth Ballon d’Or.
2018: Luka Modrić (Real Madrid) – Broke Messi and Ronaldo’s decade-long reign.
2019: Lionel Messi (Barcelona) – Won a record sixth Ballon d’Or.
2020: (Award cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic)
2022: Karim Benzema (Real Madrid) – After a stellar season with Real Madrid.
2023: Lionel Messi (Inter Miami) – His historic 8th Ballon d’Or, following his World Cup victory with Argentina in 2022.
Since its inception in 1956, the Ballon d’Or has evolved into the ultimate recognition of individual excellence in football. With winners from every generation shaping the game’s history, the award continues to inspire and define greatness in football. The legacies of players like Stanley Matthews, Johan Cruyff, George Weah, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Lionel Messi ensure that the Ballon d’Or remains a symbol of football’s finest.
