The Ballon d’Or is widely regarded as the most prestigious and coveted individual award in football, with some of the greats of the sport having their names immortalized having won it. Each year, 100 journalists from around the world are asked to pick their 30 top-performing players from all over the world, after which they are each asked to submit a top five.
At the end of the process, the top three players are announced and felicitated in a ceremony held towards the end of a calendar year, with the top player receiving the Ballon d’Or or the Golden Ball. Last year, Argentine legend Lionel Messi won an unprecedented eighth award, taking him three clear of Cristiano Ronaldo in second place with five awards.
First awarded in 1956, there are several legends of the game who have won the Ballon d’Or, with some achieving the feat at a young age. This article will take a look at the top 10 youngest Ballon d’Or winners in history.
10. Denis Law (1964; 24y, 9m, 28d)
Law is regarded as one of the greatest players to don a Manchester United shirt in the club’s rich history. Having represented Torino for a year between 1961-62, Denis Law joined United in 1962 and spent 11 years with the Red Devils, netting 237 goals in 404 games.
He won the coveted award in 1964 but still remains one of the youngest Ballon d’Or winners. Law netted 46 goals for United in the 1963-64 season to make him the frontrunner for the award – a record that still stands today.
9. Johan Cruyff (1971; 24y, 8m, 3d)
Johan Cruyff is known for his two lengthy spells at Ajax and then Barcelona. He was just 24 when he won his first award while still with the Dutch side on the back of a stellar 1970-71 season, after Ajax won their first-ever European Cup.
Cruyff put up incredible numbers that season, scoring 21 goals and adding 20 assists in just 34 games across competitions. He bagged three goals and three assists in Europe as well, making him the favourite to win the award.
8. Marco van Basten (1988; 24y, 1m, 27d)
One of the greatest Dutch players of all time, Marco van Basten saw his career cut abruptly short in the 90s due to injury issues. However, before that misfortune, he deservedly won the Ballon d’Or thrice, with the first one coming aged 24 in 1988.
Van Basten was part of an incredibly talented and hence successful AC Milan side along compatriots Frank Rijkaard and Ruud Gullit. He scored two goals in the European Cup final as Milan defeated Steaua Bucharest to lift the cup, becoming one of the youngest Ballon d’Or winners.
7. Eusebio (1965; 23y, 11m, 3d)
Eusebio was by far the greatest Portuguese player of his time and comfortably among the best footballers on the planet during his playing days. He spent most of his peak years playing for SL Benfica in Portugal, representing them in 715 games and scoring an eye-watering 727 goals and more than a goal per game.
He won 11 Primeira Liga titles in his time with Benfica, along with 5 Tacas de Portugal and one European Cup in 1961-62, making him one of the greatest players in history.
6. Cristiano Ronaldo (2008; 23y, 9m, 27d)
Another Portuguese legend, Ronaldo etched his name in the history books with a sensational season for Manchester United in 2007-08. He scored 42 goals and provided eight assists in 49 games across competitions, helping them win the Premier League and Champions League double that season.
A first of a total five, Ronaldo is one of the players whose second half of the career seems much more successful than the first. However, he still ranks a respectable sixth among the youngest Ballon d’Or winners.
ALSO READ: Understanding release clause in football
5. Oleg Blokhin (1975; 23y, 1m, 25d)
Arguably one of the lesser-known names on the list, Blokhin won his only award in 1975 while he was representing Dynamo Kyiv, whom he represented for 19 years. He still holds the record for being the all-time top scorer for Dynamo, having netted 266 times during his nearly two-decade-long tenure.
4. George Best (1968; 22y, 7m, 2d)
The Irishman was one of the best wingers to ever represent Manchester United in their coveted history and made himself a legend with his Ballon d’Or win in 1968. He won his first and only award on the back of a European Cup-winning season with United that year.
Overall, he made 474 appearances for the Red Devils, netting 179 times, including some crucial goals against rivals. Having begun his career with the club in 1963, Best spent 11 years at the club before moving on to Dunstable Town and Stockport County in 1975.
3. Lionel Messi (2009; 22y, 5m, 2d)
The Argentine holds the undisputed record for the most number of awards, having won an astounding eight since his first win in 2009. He scored a lovely header in the Champions League final that year as Barcelona lifted the cup in heroic fashion.
Overall that season, Messi recorded 38 goals and 19 assists in 51 games across competitions, which was clearly a sign of greater things to come in what has turned out to be a legendary career. Messi went on to win the next three editions of the Ballon d’Or (2010, 2011, 2012) as well, and remains the third-youngest Ballon d’Or winner.
2. Michael Owen (2001; 22y, 4d)
Owen is the only English player on this list and lifted the award after a great 2000-01 season with Liverpool as they won the FA Cup, Football League Cup as well as the UEFA Cup that season. Owen netted 24 goals and also provided seven assists, helping his team lift silverware.
1. Ronaldo Nazario (1997; 21y, 3m, 5d)
Arguably the greatest modern-day Brazilian footballer, Ronaldo wreaked havoc in defences in his playing career. The first of his two awards came while he was playing for Barcelona.
He helped the club win the Copa del Rey, Supercopa de Espana and the UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup in that season, scoring 47 goals and providing 13 assists in just 49 games across competitions. His greatness speaks for itself and Ronaldo ranks as the youngest Ballon d’Or winner in history.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q. Who is the youngest player to have won the Ballon d’Or?
A. Ronaldo Nazario is the youngest player to have won the award with his first win back in 1997, when he was just 21 years old.
Q. What was Lionel Messi’s age when he won his first Ballon d’Or?
A. Lionel Messi was 22 years old when he won his first Ballon d’Or back in 2009.
Q. Can a 17-year-old win the Ballon d’Or?
A. Yes, they can. There are no minimum or maximum age restrictions on who can win the award.
ALSO READ: What is relegation in soccer? Taking a detailed look at the meaning, consequences, pros and cons