List of all English players to win Ballon d'Or
(Courtesy : Getty)
Michael Owen remains the last Englishman to clinch the individual award!
Not many English players are out there who have secured the Ballon d’Or, but England has produced some of the greatest footballers in the history of football. The honour is presented annually to the world’s best footballer based on their performances and trophies they have won.
The first-ever Ballon d’Or winner was from England. Sir Stanley Matthews became the inaugural winner in 1956 while playing for Blackpool. Matthews finished ahead of Alfredo Di Stéfano and Raymond Kopa in the voting. This established an important milestone for English football, becoming the first player to receive one of the sport’s most prestigious individual honours.
The Golden Ball only came back to England after a decade, when Sir Bobby Charlton clinched the award in 1966 after a sensational year for Manchester United and the Three Lions. Kevin Keegan is the only English player to win consecutive Ballon d’Or awards, claiming the honour in 1978 and 1979 while representing the German club, Hamburger SV.
Michael Owen became the fourth English player to win the Ballon d’Or when he received the award in 2001. His victory remains the most recent occasion on which an English player has won the men’s award. Harry Kane is now the closest star from England to win the honour in 2026.
Also Read: List of all Bundesliga players to win Ballon d’Or
English players to win the Ballon d’Or
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| S.No | Player | Club | Year |
| 1. | Sir Stanley Matthews | Blackpool FC | 1956 |
| 2. | Sir Bobby Charlton | Manchester United | 1966 |
| 3. | Kevin Keegan | Hamburger SV | 1978 |
| 4. | Kevin Keegan | Hamburger SV | 1979 |
| 5. | Michael Owen | Liverpool FC | 2001 |
Who was the first-ever English player to win the Ballon d’Or?
Sir Stanley Matthews did so during the inaugural edition of the award in 1956.
Who was the last English player to win the Ballon d’Or?
Michael Owen in 2001.
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