Top 10 youngest players to win Ballon d'Or

Stanley Matthews is the first-ever player to win the award, but who is the youngest?

The Ballon d’Or has evolved into the highest honour in football since it was first given out in 1956. Numerous renowned players’ names have been inscribed on its metal. Everyone has earned the right to win the trophy, from Stanley Matthews, the first champion, to Lionel Messi and his eight trophies.

The name of the prospective winner is still up in the air as the 2025 gala approaches. One of the contenders, FC Barcelona star Lamine Yamal, might become the youngest winner in the award’s history if he is crowned.

With this, we take a look at the top 10 youngest Ballon d’Or winners in its history

10. Luis Suarez – 25 years, 7 months and 10 days

Perhaps most football fans aren’t aware of the Luis Suarez of earlier days, but the 1935-born Spanish midfielder was one of the best of his period. Suarez, who played for teams like Barcelona and Inter, gained notoriety in 1960 when, at the age of 25, he defeated Ferenc Puskas, Alfredo di Stefano, and Bobby Charlton to win the Ballon d’Or trophy for the first time in his career.

9. Johan Cruyff – 24 years, 8 months and 3 days

You can see what a genius Johan Cruyff was just by looking at today’s depiction of his legacy. The guy known as the “Flying Dutchman” is still regarded as one of the best players of all time. He was the mastermind behind the “total football” that Rinus Michels’ Ajax launched in the early 1970s.

Three Ballon d’Or honours were won by this generational talent, including his first in 1971 when he was just 24 years, 8 months, and 3 days old.

8. Marco van Basten – 24 years, 1 month and 27 days

At the beginning of 1988, Marco van Basten could not have imagined that he would finish the year as the world’s top player. The Dutch centre-forward didn’t return to action until March of the following year after suffering a severe ankle injury in October 1987.

He returned to AC Milan after winning the European Championship and was eventually recognised in December by the Ballon d’Or committee, who handed him his award for the first time in his career.

7. Eusebio – 23 years, 11 months and 3 days

Eusebio won the Ballon d’Or in 1965 after narrowly losing to Josef Masopust in 1962. The Maputo, Mozambican native, who was the first Portuguese player to win the coveted title, came fresh off a stellar campaign. The “Black Panther” was the top scorer with 28 goals and helped SL Benfica defend their Portuguese league crown.

6. Cristiano Ronaldo – 23 years, 9 months and 27 days

Cristiano Ronaldo is a player who has aimed for the stars, just like his predecessor. The now five-time Ballon d’Or winner possesses all the qualities of his predecessor, including strength, speed, and an unmatched ability to score goals. A vicious athlete who turned into nightmares for his rivals won his first Ballon d’Or in 2008.

5. Oleg Blokhin – 23 years, 1 month and 25 days

When Oleg Blokhin won the 1965 Ballon d’Or, he was just 23 years, 1 month, and 25 days old. The Ukrainian Soviet Republic native finished an incredible season, winning the award two years after Lev Yashin, becoming the second Soviet winner in history. With his team, Dynamo Kyiv, he won the European Cup Winners’ Cup and was the top scorer in the Soviet championship.

4. George Best – 22 years, 7 months and 2 days

George Best became the third Manchester United winner of the award in 1968, replacing Bobby Charlton. Best enjoyed one of the greatest times of his career. He was also the first Northern Irish player to win the prize, receiving more votes than Bobby Charlton, Dragan Džajić and Franz Beckenbauer.

3. Lionel Messi – 22 years, 5 months and 7 days

Lionel Messi won his first Ballon d’Or in 2009 with an incredible 98.5% of the voting. For the player who became the first Argentine to ever receive the renowned prize, it was a resounding moment. This was the prize for a season that will live on in history as Barcelona became the first team to win six trophies in one season: LaLiga, the Spanish Cup, the Champions League, the Spanish Supercup, the European Supercup, and the Club World Cup.

2. Michael Owen – 22 years and 4 days

Wearing his number 10, Michael Owen participated in Liverpool’s remarkable 2000–01 season under Gerard Houllier. The English striker participated in all of the exciting competitions, including the FA Cup, League Cup, Community Shield, Super Cup, and UEFA Cup. Despite missing 15 games due to injury, he scored 24 goals and provided seven assists in 46 games across all competitions.

He won the award in 2001, beating Raul Gonzalez and Oliver Kahn.

1. Ronaldo Nazario – 21 years, 3 months and 5 days

Ronaldo Nazario became the youngest player in history to win the Ballon d’Or on December 23, 1997, at the age of 21 years, 3 months, and 5 days. After winning the Copa America, Copa del Rey and LaLiga, also dominating the league’s scoring charts for Barcelona, he deservingly lifted the award.

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