The Ballon d’Or is football’s most coveted individual award. It is an annual award presented to the best player in the globe based on their efforts throughout a calendar year. France Football first gave the honor in 1956, and it has since crowned legends throughout generations.
However, beyond the Ballon d’Or lurks a rarer gem: the Super Ballon d’Or.
The Super Ballon d’Or, which has only been awarded once in history, was established in 1989 to honour the greatest Ballon d’Or winner of the previous three decades. France Football permitted journalists and past Ballon d’Or winners to vote. Michel Platini finished third. Johan Cruyff placed second. The award eventually went to Alfredo Di Stéfano, a Real Madrid legend and one of the game’s most important figures.
Winning the Ballon d’Or is already an outstanding achievement. However, winning the Super Ballon d’Or elevates you to the pinnacle of your generation.
Now the discourse has resumed. For the first time in decades, France Football’s official Ballon d’Or account has mentioned the potential of reintroducing it. With that in mind, we’ve taken the chance to select the top ten candidates who could earn the award if it were given again.
10. Gianluigi Buffon
When it comes to renowned goalkeepers, Buffon’s name is at the top. He was a symbol of consistency, leadership, and elite shot-stopping, and he played a key role in Italy’s 2006 World Cup victory. He also had a successful club career.
Despite never winning the Ballon d’Or or the Champions League, Buffon won 12 Serie A Goalkeeper of the Year accolades. The record speaks for itself.
9. Paolo Maldini.
The top standard for defenders. Maldini’s durability, poise, and defensive brilliance established him as the gold standard for centuries.
He led AC Milan through several periods of supremacy, winning seven Serie A titles and an incredible five European Cups. A real icon whose legacy transcends generations.
8. Andres Iniesta.
The Xavi-Iniesta era transformed how the world perceived midfielders. Iniesta’s grace, intelligence, and ability to deliver on the biggest stage, particularly his World Cup-winning goal in 2010, helped him become a fan favourite.
He placed second in the 2010 Ballon d’Or, a year in which all three finalists were Barcelona teammates: Messi, Xavi, and Iniesta. He had won everything there was to win in football.
7) Luka Modrić
The best Croatian footballer of all time. In 2018, Modrić won the Ballon d’Or award, breaking Messi-Ronaldo’s streak. He guided Croatia to the World Cup final and contributed significantly to Real Madrid’s Champions League title.
Elegant, relentless, and a genuine midfield general.
6. Xavi Hernández.
Arguably the greatest passer the game has ever seen. Xavi’s brilliance, positioning, and control shaped the golden eras of Barcelona and Spain.
He never won the Ballon d’Or, but he placed third three times. Like Iniesta, he finished his football career by winning every major club and international honour.
5) Ronaldinho
The player who inspired an entire generation to adore football. At his peak, Ronaldinho was pure magic. He approached the game with unrivaled flair, enthusiasm, and ingenuity.
He won the 2005 Ballon d’Or, the World Cup, and the Champions League, and he lit up football in ways that few others have.
4) Zinedine Zidane
France’s football treasure. Zidane won the 1998 Ballon d’Or for leading France to World Cup victory, scoring twice in the final.
His elegance and technical genius helped define an age. He eventually became a successful manager, winning three straight Champions League titles with Real Madrid. A true football thinker, both on and off the field.
3. Ronaldo Nazario.
O fenomeno. At his peak, Ronaldo was unstoppable. A combination of speed, power, technique, and goal scoring that defenses simply couldn’t handle.
Despite injuries that limited his prime, he won two Ballon d’Or awards and two World Cups. He is still one of the finest strikers of all time.
2. Cristiano Ronaldo.
Five Ballons d’Or. The most prolific goalscorer in football history. A born winner.
Cristiano led Portugal to their first major trophy at Euro 2016, and he dominated club and international football for more than ten years. His consistency, determination, and impact place him among the greatest complete forwards in history.
1. Lionel Messi.
The undisputed favorite. Messi’s accomplishments almost beggar belief.
• Most Ballon d’Or victories (8)
• The World Cup.
• Most European Golden Boots
• Most FIFA Best Awards
• Most World Cup golden balls
• The most assists and goal contributions in history.
• Most trophies won by a footballer.
There’s a reason why many consider him the greatest of all time. If the Super Ballon d’Or returns, it’s difficult to imagine anyone else ranking above him.
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