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The Ballon d’Or or “Golden Ball” is considered to be the most prestigious individual award a footballer can win in his lifetime. Generally awarded by French magazine France Football, the Ballon d’Or award first came into being in 1956, recognizing the best player of that calendar year. It has been an annual excellence recognition award ever since.
Until 1995, Ballon d’Or only recognized European players, which is why the great Pele and Diego Maradona never got their hands on the trophy. The competition was surely a bit unfair then, but that should not take anything away from the world-class footballers Europe has produced over the decades.
Here are the top five Ballon d’Or winners Europe has ever produced:
#5 Franz Beckenbauer
Hailed as “Der Kaiser,” Franz Beckenbauer is arguably the best footballer Germany has ever produced. The only man in history to win the World Cup both as a captain (1974) and a manager (1990), Beckenbauer was an alien among humans.
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Beckenbauer, who ruled football in the 1960s and 1970s was the first “sweeper” in recorded history. He could instigate attacks deep from his own half thanks to his accurate long balls and determined runs.
As captain of Bayern Munich, the West Germany international led the club to three consecutive European Cups between 1973 and 1976.
For his heroics in club and country colors, the 1974 World Cup winner won two Ballons d’Or in 1972 and 1976.
#4 Marco van Basten
Ajax and AC Milan legend Marco van Basten was a goalscorer like no other. He could conjure goals from thin air, leaving his opponents in awe. The “Swan Of Utrecht” was fearless, had a knack for scoring acrobatic goals, and was usually the most intelligent player on the pitch.
His movements were almost impossible to predict, making him the most lethal scorer of his era.
The winner of four European Cups with Ajax (1986-87) and AC Milan (1988–89, 1989–90, 1993–94) scored 300 goals for club and country. Unfortunately, persistent ankle injuries forced him to play his last match in 1993, when he was only 28 years old.
Even in such a short spell, he claimed three Ballons d’Or in 1988, 1989, and 1992.
#3 Michel Platini
The Ballon d’Or award honors footballers who impress as well as inspire. During his playing career, Michel Platini did both with style, putting in unmatched performances in every other game. Ethical violations saw Platini’s relationship with football end on a bitter note in 2015. Disappointing as it was, the off-field antics should not keep us from celebrating the great player he was.
Nicknamed “Le Roi” or “The King” Platini was an apex predator on the football pitch. He had the heart of a lion, could score from anywhere on the pitch, and was always the first to react after a setback. Platini breached the best of defenses at will and was the top scorer of Juventus’ victorious 1984-85 European Cup campaign.
Platini was just as prolific for his country and led them to 1984 Euros, emerging as the tournament’s top scorer and best player. For his exploits, Platini won three consecutive Ballons d’Or between 1983 and 1985.
#2 Johan Cruyff
Many great players have called football their own in the last century but very few have been as influential as the great Johan Cruyff. The Netherlands international was not only a world-class footballer, but he was also a philanthropist and a rebel.
Cruyff captained the great Ajax side in 1970s, leading them to three consecutive European Cups between 1970 and 1973. In 1973, he took his talents to Barcelona and helped them win La Liga, beating favorites Real Madrid.
The next year, he took his national team to the final of the 1974 World Cup. West Germany came out on top, but Cruyff was chosen as the tournament’s best player and won the Golden Ball.
For his exploits with Ajax, Barcelona and then the Netherlands, Cruyff won three Ballons d’Or in 1971, 1973, and 1974.
#1 Cristiano Ronaldo
Sporting Lisbon, Manchester United, Real Madrid, Juventus and back again at United - Cristiano Ronaldo has traveled far and wide in search of excellence. From being a lanky winger to a bullish, ruthless goalscorer, the Portuguese has explored many sides of his footballing persona and he is not done yet.
The 36-year-old has won it all in club football. He has won five Champions Leagues, seven league titles and numerous domestic cups. Ronaldo has thrived in Spain, England and Italy, scoring against the best of teams. In 2016, he guided Portugal to their first-ever Euro trophy, cementing his name as the most successful Portuguese captain in history.
Real Madrid's leading scorer (451 goals) has won five Ballons d’Or in his illustrious career. He won his first with Manchester United (2008) while the other four (2013, 2014, 2016, 2017) came during his nine-year stint with Real Madrid.
