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The Ballon d'Or is one of the most prestigious individual awards in the game of football. Conceptualized by France Football in 1956, the Ballon d'Or is an annual award that has been won by many fine players over the years.
Initially, only selected journalists voted for the Ballon d'Or nominees. But in 2007, all national team captains and coaches were given the right to vote. That year also saw the Ballon d'Or become a global award, with players from around the world eligible to win it.
Considering the popularity of the game in Europe, most Ballon d'Or winners have been ones who have plied their trade in the continent. Lionel Messi (6) and Cristiano Ronaldo (5) have won the most Ballon d'Or awards in history, with both players winning the award in their 20s and 30s.
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However, the Ballon d'Or is essentially a young player's award, with only a handful of players winning the award after turning 30, On that note, let's have a look at the five oldest winners of the Ballon d'Or award over the years:
#5 Fabio Cannavaro (2006) - 33 years, 74 days
A fabulous 2005-06 league campaign saw Fabio Cannavaro first win the Serie A title with Juventus. The defender then led from the front as Italy won their fourth title at the 2006 FIFA World Cup.
The Bianconeri's title was rescinded because of their role in the infamous Calciopoli scandal. But Cannavaro had a campaign to remember at the World Cup that summer, especially against hosts Germany in the semi-final. Despite being just 5' 9", the Azzurri captain put in a defensive masterclass, winning all of his aerial duels against the significantly taller Miroslav Klose.
Cannavaro also clutched in other facets of his game, making timely interceptions, last-ditch tackles and key passes. The then 33-year-old kickstarted the move that led to Italy's second goal deep in extra time. It was one of the finest defensive performances by a player at the tournament. Nobody could argue against it when Cannavaro won the Ballon d'Or that year.
Now 47, Cannavaro remains the last of only three defenders to have won the coveted Ballon d'Or award.
#4 Luka Modric (2018) - 33 years, 84 days
Luka Modric ended a decade-long Ballon d'Or duopoly of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo when he bagged the prestigious award in 2018. That made the Croatian maestro the oldest player to win the Ballon d'Or award since the turn of the century.
Although Modric was a controversial choice for the award after Ronaldo and Messi both enjoyed stellar campaigns, the Croatian was a key player for club and country during the year. Modric helped Real Madrid win a record-extending 13th Champions League and their third on the trot. The then 33-year-old also led Croatia to the final of the FIFA World Cup in Russia.
The diminutive midfielder scored against Nigeria and Argentina to help Croatia top the group stage. Modric then scored in the shootout wins over Denmark and Russia en route to Croatia's run to the title match. They eventually lost 2-4 to France in the final, but Modric won the Golden Ball award for his exploits in the tournament.
#3 Alfredo Di Stefano (1959) - 33 years, 161 days
Alfredo Di Stefano is one of a handful of players to have won multiple Ballon d'Or awards. His second win in 1959 made him one of the oldest winners of the coveted award.
One of the finest strikers to have graced the game, Di Stefano was a lethal goalscorer for Real Madrid. He helped the Spanish giants to trophies galore during his time at the club. Di Stefano's six goals in the 1958-59 season helped Madrid win their fourth European Cup on the trot.
Di Stefano was also accorded the Super Ballon d'Or honor in 1989 for his exploits in the game. The award was given for his tremendous achievements, having scored more than 300 goals and won 17 trophies with Madrid.
#2 Lev Yashin (1963) - 34 years, 55 days
Lev Yashin is the only goalkeeper to win the coveted Ballon d'Or award. Widely regarded as one of the finest custodians to have graced the game, Yashin spent his entire club career with Dynamo Moscow.
Credited with having saved over 150 penalties as per FIFA records, Yashin was an impenetrable last line of defense for his team. He kept over 250 clean sheets during his career.
Yashin was a sweeper-keeper decades ahead of his time with lightning-quick reflexes and impressive passing prowess. He helped Dynamo concede only seven goals en route to their fifth league win on the trot in the 1962-63 season. Yashin's incredible performances in goal during the campaign meant he won the Ballon d'Or award in 1963.
Yashin, who expired in 1989, played a key role in the Soviet Union winning the inaugural European Championships in 1960. He also performed excellently at the 1962 FIFA World Cup in Chile.
France Football also started the Lev Yashin award in his honor in 2019 as an award for the best goalkeeper in a year.
#1 Stanley Mathews (1956) - 41 years, 317 days
Sir Stanley Mathews was the inaugural winner of the Ballon d'Or award in 1956. Bagging the award at the age of 41, he remains the oldest Ballon d'Or winner by a proverbial country mile.
Mathews was a winger blessed with electric pace and played until the ripe old age of 50, thanks to his impeccable fitness. He spent a record 33 seasons in the English top flight. Additionally, he was not booked even once in these seasons. Both are records that are unlikely to ever be emulated by anyone.
Thanks to his stellar exploits, Matthews was knighted while he was still playing the game. His 1953 FA Cup win with Blackpool, where they scored thrice in the last 35 minutes to seal a thrilling 4-3 win, was his only major honor. The match has since become known as the 'Mathews Final'.
Mathews beat Alfredo Di Stefano to the Ballon d'Or award in 1956.
During a stellar international career lasting 24 years, Mathews scored 11 times for England.
