London Prepares for the 70th Ballon d’Or Ceremony
The 2026 Ballon d’Or winner will be announced on Monday night at a glittering ceremony in London, marking the first time the historic football award leaves France. This relocation to England serves as a specific tribute to Sir Stanley Matthews, who claimed the inaugural trophy in 1956 at the age of 41. While Lionel Messi holds the record with eight titles, and Cristiano Ronaldo sits second with five, this year’s event breaks tradition by crossing the Channel.
Milestones That Shaped Football’s Premier Prize
The history of the Ballon d’Or features several defining moments since its inception. In 1995, George Weah became the first African player to win the award after eligibility rules expanded to include non-European players representing European clubs. Two years later, Ronaldo Nazario became the youngest-ever winner at just 21 years old while playing for Barcelona and Inter Milan. Fabio Cannavaro secured the honor in 2006 following Italy’s World Cup victory, standing as the last defender to claim the prize.
Historical Winners of the Men’s Award
The trophy has recognized top-tier talent across generations since the mid-20th century:
- 1956–1960: Stanley Matthews (Blackpool), Alfredo Di Stefano (Real Madrid), Raymond Kopa (Real Madrid), Alfredo Di Stefano (Real Madrid), Luis Suarez (Barcelona)
- 1961–1970: Omar Sivori (Juventus), Josef Masopust (Dukla Prague), Lev Yashin (Dynamo Moscow), Denis Law (Manchester United), Eusebio (Benfica), Bobby Charlton (Manchester United), Florian Albert (Ferencváros), George Best (Manchester United), Gianni Rivera (AC Milan), Gerd Muller (Bayern Munich)
- 1971–1980: Johan Cruyff (Ajax), Franz Beckenbauer (Bayern Munich), Johan Cruyff (Barcelona), Johan Cruyff (Barcelona), Oleg Blokhin (Dynamo Kyiv), Franz Beckenbauer (Bayern Munich), Allan Simonsen (Borussia Mönchengladbach), Kevin Keegan (Hamburg), Kevin Keegan (Hamburg), Karl-Heinz Rummenigge (Bayern Munich)
- 1981–1990: Karl-Heinz Rummenigge (Bayern Munich), Paolo Rossi (Juventus), Michel Platini (Juventus), Michel Platini (Juventus), Michel Platini (Juventus), Igor Belanov (Dynamo Kyiv), Ruud Gullit (AC Milan), Marco van Basten (AC Milan), Marco van Basten (AC Milan), Lothar Matthaus (Inter Milan)
- 1991–2000: Jean-Pierre Papin (Marseille), Marco van Basten (AC Milan), Roberto Baggio (Juventus), Hristo Stoichkov (Barcelona), George Weah (AC Milan), Matthias Sammer (Borussia Dortmund), Ronaldo (Inter Milan), Zinedine Zidane (Juventus), Rivaldo (Barcelona), Luis Figo (Real Madrid)
- 2001–2010: Michael Owen (Liverpool), Ronaldo (Real Madrid), Pavel Nedved (Juventus), Andriy Shevchenko (AC Milan), Ronaldinho (Barcelona), Fabio Cannavaro (Real Madrid), Kaka (AC Milan), Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United), Lionel Messi (Barcelona), Lionel Messi (Barcelona)
- 2011–2020: Lionel Messi (Barcelona), Lionel Messi (Barcelona), Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid), Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid), Lionel Messi (Barcelona), Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid), Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid), Luka Modric (Real Madrid), Lionel Messi (Barcelona), Not awarded due to the Covid-19 pandemic
- 2021–2025: Lionel Messi (Paris Saint-Germain), Karim Benzema (Real Madrid), Lionel Messi (Inter Miami), Rodri (Manchester City), Ousmane Dembele (Paris Saint-Germain)
Frequently Asked Questions About the Ballon d’Or
Why is the Ballon d’Or ceremony being held in London?
The 70th staging of the event moved to England as a direct tribute to Sir Stanley Matthews, who won the very first Ballon d’Or in 1956.
Who is the oldest player to ever win the award?
Sir Stanley Matthews remains the oldest-ever winner, claiming the inaugural 1956 trophy at 41 years, 10 months and 17 days old.
How many goalkeepers have won the Ballon d’Or?
Only one goalkeeper has won the award in its history: Lev Yashin of the Soviet Union and Dynamo Moscow in 1963.