As the Ballon d’Or ceremony approaches, below we list the 10 youngest Ballon d’Or winners in history.
The Ballon d’Or is the most prestigious individual award in the world of football, honouring the best player on the planet each year.
Whilst Lionel Messi looks set to claim his record-breaking eighth award, let’s take a closer look at the 10 youngest Ballon d’Or winners in the history of the beautiful game.
10. Denis Law (1964)
24 years, nine months, 28 days
Denis Law secured the Ballon d’Or in 1964 at the age of 24 after an exceptional 1963/64 season with Manchester United. Despite the club not winning any major trophies that year, Law’s incredible tally of 46 goals in all competitions caught the world’s attention. The tally remains a Manchester United club record to this day
9. Johann Cruyff (1971)
24 years, eight months, three days
Johann Cruyff, often hailed as the father of Total Football, won his first Ballon d’Or at the age of 24. In the 1970/71 season with Ajax, he led his team to their first of three consecutive European Cup victories. His 27 goals in 37 matches were instrumental in securing the title.
8. Marco van Basten (1988)
24 years, one month, 27 days
Seven months younger than Cruyff when he won the Ballon d’Or, Marco Van Basten’s remarkable form during Euro ’88 led the Netherlands to their first major tournament victory. His 33 goals in his second season with AC Milan played a crucial role in the club’s European Cup success.
7. Eusebio (1965)
23 years, 11 months, three days
Eusebio became the first Portuguese player to claim the Ballon d’Or in 1965. His prolific season with Benfica, where he scored 48 goals in just 36 matches, helped him secure the award, despite Benfica’s loss to Inter in the European Cup final.
6. Cristiano Ronaldo (2008)
23 years, nine months, 27 days
Cristiano Ronaldo’s transformation into a goal-scoring machine earned him the Ballon d’Or in 2008 at the age of 23. His 42 goals in 49 appearances for Manchester United, including a goal in the Champions League final, made him an icon at Old Trafford.
5. Oleg Blokhin (1975)
23 years, one month, 25 days
Oleg Blokhin, a legendary figure in Soviet football, won the Ballon d’Or in 1975 at the age of 23. His 18 league goals were crucial for Dynamo Kyiv’s Soviet league title victory, and his performances in Europe helped them secure the European Cup Winners’ Cup.
4. George Best (1968)
22 years, seven months, two days
George Best’s exceptional form for Manchester United in the late 1960s culminated in winning the Ballon d’Or in 1968. His 28 league goals and memorable performance in the European Cup final, where he scored a crucial goal, made him a standout choice.
3. Lionel Messi (2009)
22 years, five months, seven days
Lionel Messi’s first Ballon d’Or win came in 2009, at just 22 years of age. Scoring 38 goals in 51 appearances, Messi played a pivotal role in Barcelona’s treble-winning season, including a crucial goal in the Champions League final.
2. Michael Owen (2001)
22 years, four days
Michael Owen’s Ballon d’Or victory in 2001 came after a remarkable season with Liverpool, where they won the FA Cup, League Cup, and UEFA Cup. His exceptional speed and goal-scoring ability made him one of England’s brightest talents.
1. Ronaldo (1997)
21 years, three months, five days
Ronaldo, often referred to as “O Fenômeno,” secured the Ballon d’Or in 1997 at a mere 21 years of age, making him the youngest player to win the award. His prolific season with Barcelona, including 47 goals in 49 appearances, marked the beginning of his legendary career.
That summer, Ronaldo joined Inter Milan for a world record transfer fee, and refused to slow down – scoring 25 Serie A goals in 32 games in his first season.
These ten players achieved greatness at a remarkably young age, leaving an indelible mark on the world of football. Their Ballon d’Or wins reflect their exceptional talent and contribution to the sport, with some going on to become true footballing legends.
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