Stats of Past Ballon d'Or Winners

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25 Sept 2024

The Ballon d'Or is widely regarded as the pinnacle of individual recognition in the footballing world. Since its inception in 1956, this prestigious award has honored the best players in global football, with a rich history that reflects the changing landscape of the sport.

From dominant legends to surprise victors, the Ballon d'Or has chronicled the stories of football's greatest talents.

In this article, we will examine the statistics of past Ballon d'Or winners, highlighting the key trends, milestones, and defining moments in the award's illustrious history.

Legendary Winners and Their Dominance

Few players have transcended the Ballon d'Or conversation quite like Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, who have dominated the award for over a decade. Their rivalry has not only elevated the level of competition but has also redefined what it means to be a consistent world-class performer.

Lionel Messi
The Argentine maestro has won the Ballon d'Or an unprecedented seven times (2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2019, 2021), making him the most decorated player in the award’s history. Messi’s statistics during these years were nothing short of extraordinary. For example, in 2012, he scored a record-breaking 91 goals in a calendar year. His exceptional dribbling, vision, and playmaking ability cement his place as one of football’s all-time greats.

Cristiano Ronaldo
Not far behind Messi is the Portuguese superstar, who has claimed the Ballon d'Or five times (2008, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017). Ronaldo's goal-scoring prowess, physicality, and relentless work ethic have been the hallmark of his success. During his Ballon d'Or-winning years, Ronaldo consistently ranked as the top scorer in Europe, including his remarkable 2014-15 campaign where he scored 61 goals for Real Madrid.

Key Stats of Messi and Ronaldo’s Ballon d'Or Winning Years:

Combined, Messi and Ronaldo have won 12 of the last 14 Ballon d'Ors.
Both players have scored over 700 career goals, contributing significantly to their Ballon d'Or victories.
Between 2009 and 2019, they finished in the top three of the voting every year, dominating the competition.

While Messi and Ronaldo's influence on the award cannot be overstated, other notable players have also left their mark on football history.

The Era of European Dominance

During the early decades of the Ballon d'Or, the award was exclusively given to European players, a reflection of the sport's organizational and cultural structures at the time. Between 1956 and 1994, no non-European player was eligible, which meant that many deserving talents from South America and other continents were overlooked.

Michel Platini
One of the leading figures of European football, Platini won the Ballon d'Or three times consecutively (1983, 1984, 1985). The Frenchman was a midfield maestro, leading Juventus to several major honors and the French national team to a European Championship in 1984. His ability to control games from the middle of the park and score key goals made him one of the most celebrated players of his generation.

Johan Cruyff
Cruyff is another iconic figure who dominated European football during the 1970s, winning the Ballon d'Or three times (1971, 1973, 1974). His impact was felt not just in his individual brilliance, but also in his contribution to the tactical evolution of the game, especially the development of "Total Football" with Ajax and the Dutch national team.

George Best
The flamboyant Northern Irishman won the Ballon d'Or in 1968, and while his career was marked by personal struggles, his on-field genius was undeniable. Best’s stats during his Ballon d'Or year were impressive, with his dribbling and goal-scoring exploits at Manchester United propelling the club to European Cup glory.

Notable European Ballon d'Or Winners:

Marco van Basten (Netherlands) – Three-time winner (1988, 1989, 1992).
Franz Beckenbauer (Germany) – Two-time winner (1972, 1976).
Eusebio (Portugal) – Winner in 1965, regarded as one of the greatest forwards in the history of the sport.

The European dominance of the Ballon d'Or shaped its early identity, and while the award has since opened up to non-European players, these figures laid the foundation for its prestige.

The Influence of Non-European Players

The Ballon d'Or's expansion to include non-European players in 1995 signaled a shift that would change the face of the award. This allowed a wealth of talent from footballing nations like Brazil and Argentina to receive recognition on a global stage.

Ronaldo Nazário
One of the first non-European players to win the award was Brazilian forward Ronaldo Nazário, who captured the Ballon d'Or in 1997 and again in 2002. Known for his blistering pace, technical ability, and clinical finishing, Ronaldo’s 2002 Ballon d'Or win came on the back of a sensational World Cup, where he scored eight goals, including two in the final to help Brazil lift their fifth title.

Ronaldinho
Another Brazilian to make an impact was Ronaldinho, who won the Ballon d'Or in 2005. His flair, creativity, and joy on the pitch captured the imagination of fans worldwide, making him one of the most beloved players of his era.

Kaká
The last player to win the Ballon d'Or before the Messi-Ronaldo duopoly was Brazil’s Kaká, who claimed the award in 2007. Playing for AC Milan at the time, Kaká’s performances in the Champions League were pivotal to the club's triumph in 2007, and his stats that season included 10 goals in the competition, earning him the top scorer award.

Key Non-European Ballon d'Or Winners:

Rivaldo (Brazil) – Winner in 1999.
George Weah (Liberia) – The only African player to win the Ballon d'Or (1995).
Lionel Messi (Argentina) – Seven-time winner.

These players not only brought diversity to the Ballon d'Or but also elevated its global status, as football continued to grow as a truly international sport.

Evolution of the Ballon d'Or Voting System

The voting system for the Ballon d'Or has evolved over the years, reflecting the changing dynamics of football and the growing influence of global media and international audiences.

Original Voting
From 1956 to 2006, the Ballon d'Or was determined by a panel of sports journalists from across Europe. Each journalist submitted a list of their top five players for the year, with points awarded based on their rankings. This system ensured that the award was seen as a reflection of expert opinion.

FIFA Ballon d'Or Merger
In 2010, the Ballon d'Or merged with the FIFA World Player of the Year award, and voting was expanded to include national team coaches and captains. This period (2010-2015) led to a broader representation of views, but it also sparked debates about favoritism and media influence.

Return to Tradition
In 2016, the Ballon d'Or separated from FIFA, returning to its original format with journalists as the sole voters. This move was seen as an attempt to restore the award’s integrity and focus solely on player performances, rather than external factors like popularity or brand appeal.

Key Trends in Ballon d'Or Voting:

The Messi-Ronaldo era often saw voting margins split between the two, with small differences determining the winner.
Since the return to the original voting system, there has been more focus on individual achievements within a calendar year, rather than team success alone.

Conclusion

The Ballon d'Or has provided football fans with a unique way to celebrate the world's best players. From the early European dominance to the modern era of global superstars like Messi and Ronaldo, the award reflects the changing nature of football and the incredible feats achieved by these athletes. As the sport continues to evolve, so too will the Ballon d'Or, chronicling the stories of future footballing legends.