5 oldest Ballon d’Or winners in football history

#3 Alfredo Di Stéfano (33 years, 5 months, and 11 days)

GOAL DI STEFANO

Undoubtedly one of the greatest strikers to have ever played the game, Di Stéfano’s importance to Real Madrid - whom he helped win 15 titles including 5 consecutive European Cups – cannot be stressed enough.

The Argentine, who holds the distinction of playing for three national teams, is also one of the oldest players to win the Ballon d’Or – a feat he achieved when he picked up the prize for a second time (he won his first in 1957) in 1959.

Di Stéfano also holds the distinction of winning the honorary Super Ballon d’Or, beating fellow legends Johan Cruyff and Michel Platini to the honour back in 1989. A fitting tribute to one of football’s greats.

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#2 Lev Yashin (34 years, 1 month and 25 days)

Lev Yashin

Widely considered as one of football’s greatest ever goalkeepers, the standards set by Yashin are revered even today. Nicknamed the Black Spider – partly due to his all-black goalkeeping outfit and largely due to his lightning reflexes – Yashin gained acclaim for his commanding presence between the sticks as well as his charges out of goal to clear attacks – making him the first true sweeper keeper, long before Manuel Neuer popularised the role.

Igor Netto, Sergei Salnikov and Lev Yashin #USSR at 1958 World Cup pic.twitter.com/7hu08wYMn2

— Retro football (@RetroFootball20) February 23, 2021

The Soviet was integral for his country during their prime in the late 50s – during which they won Gold in the 1956 Olympics - and the early 60s, and to date remains not only one of the oldest players to win the Ballon d’Or but also the only goalkeeper ever to win it, which is a testament to his greatness.

#1 Stanley Matthews (41 years, 10 months and 17 days)

Stanley Matthews

Leading the list of 5 oldest Ballon d’Or winners in football history is Sir Stanley Matthews – who is not only the oldest winner of the award but also its inaugural winner.

Known for his extensive stamina, pace and crossing ability, Matthews paid close attention to his fitness – something which enabled him to play upto the age of 50.

On the 21st anniversary of Sir Stanley Matthews’ death, a reminder of his great humility.Here in 1991, he’s interviewed by Brian Moore before an England schoolboys game at Wembley, but refuses to talk about himself or his role in the famous ‘Matthews Final’A truly modest man. pic.twitter.com/3rbITxrIpf

— Stu’s Football Flashbacks (@stusfootyflash) February 23, 2021

Even though Matthews never won a lot of major honours, his only noteworthy one being his 1953 FA Cup triumph with Blackpool, the Englishman’s Ballon d’Or achievement is likely to stand the test of time, as it has all these years.

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