The Ballon d’Or is one of the biggest awards in world football. Given every year by France Football, it honours the best player in the world based on their performances for club and country. For many players, winning the award even once is a dream come true.
Most winners are at their peak in their mid-20s or later, but a few extraordinary footballers managed to win it very young. This article looks at the youngest Ballon d’Or winners of all time, their ages, the years they won, and why they stood out.
Why “youngest” winners are special
Winning the Ballon d’Or means being judged as the best in the world. For a young player, often still in the early stages of their career, it shows not only talent but also maturity and the ability to handle pressure. These rare cases prove that age is no barrier when brilliance shines through.
10. Luis Suárez Miramontes (Spain) – 25 years, 7 months, 10 days
- Year: 1960
- Clubs: FC Barcelona, Deportivo de La Coruña, España Industrial, Inter Milan, and Sampdoria
Not to be confused with the Uruguayan striker of recent years, Suárez was a Spanish playmaker whose vision and passing made him stand out in Europe. He became Spain’s first and only Ballon d’Or winner.
9. Johan Cruyff (Netherlands) – 24 years, 8 months, 3 days
- Year: 1971
- Clubs: Ajax, FC Barcelona, Los Angeles Aztecs, Washington Diplomats, and Feyenoord
Cruyff was the leader of the great Ajax side that played “Total Football.” At just 24, he guided his team to the European Cup and displayed the intelligence and technique that made him a three-time Ballon d’Or winner.
8. Marco van Basten (Netherlands) – 24 years, 1 month, 27 days
- Year: 1988
- Clubs: AC Milan and Ajax
Van Basten won the award after leading the Netherlands to victory at Euro 1988, scoring one of the most famous goals in history in the final against the Soviet Union. His elegance and clinical finishing made him one of the best strikers of his generation.
7. Eusébio (Portugal) – 23 years, 11 months, 3 days
- Year: 1965
- Clubs: Benfica, Sporting Lourenço Marques, Boston Minutemen, Monterrey, Toronto Metros-Croatia, Beira-Mar, Las Vegas Quicksilvers, União de Tomar, New Jersey Americans, and Buffalo Stallions (indoor)
Known as the “Black Panther,” Eusébio was a legendary forward who scored freely for both club and country. By 1965, he had already established himself as one of the most feared strikers in the world, making him a deserving Ballon d’Or winner.
6. Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal) – 23 years, 9 months, 29 days
- Year: 2008
- Clubs: Manchester United, Sporting CP, Real Madrid, Juventus, and Al Nassr.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s first Ballon d’Or came in 2008, after he scored 42 goals and guided Manchester United to both the Premier League and Champions League titles. His combination of athletic ability, talent, and hard work helped him become one of the best players ever.
Also read: Ballon d’Or 2025: From Stanley to Ousmane Dembele – Complete List of Winners (1956–2025)
5. Oleg Blokhin (Soviet Union) – 23 years, 1 month, 25 days
- Year: 1975
- Clubs: Dynamo Kyiv, Vorwärts Steyr, and Aris Limassol
Blokhin was a key figure in Soviet and European football during the 1970s. His extreme speed and eye for goal helped Dynamo Kyiv win the Cup Winners’ Cup in 1975, and he became the first Ukrainian to lift the Ballon d’Or.
4. George Best (Northern Ireland) – 22 years, 7 months, 2 days
- Year: 1968
- Clubs: Manchester United, Stockport County, Jewish Guild, Cork Celtic, Los Angeles Aztecs, Fulham, Fort Lauderdale Strikers, Hibernian, San Jose Earthquakes, AFC Bournemouth, Brisbane Lions, Tobermore United
Best was known for his dazzling dribbling and flair. In 1968, he led Manchester United to their first European Cup title. At just 22, his skill and style made him the youngest winner of that era. He remains one of the most iconic players in football history.
3. Lionel Messi (Argentina) – 22 years, 5 months, 7 days
- Year: 2009
- Clubs: FC Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), and Inter Miami.
Messi’s first Ballon d’Or came in 2009, when he was just 22. That year Barcelona won the historic “treble” (La Liga, Copa del Rey, Champions League). Messi’s dribbling, vision, and goals made him unstoppable. It was the start of an incredible run that would see him win the award a record eight times.
2. Michael Owen (England) – 22 years, 4 days
- Year: 2001
- Clubs: Liverpool, Real Madrid, Newcastle United, Manchester United, and Stoke City.
Owen was the first Englishman in decades to win the Ballon d’Or since Kevin Keegan in 1979. Still only 22, he had become famous for his explosive runs and sharp finishing. In 2001, he helped Liverpool win five trophies, including the FA Cup, UEFA Cup, and League Cup, making him the standout candidate for the award.
1. Ronaldo Nazário (Brazil) – 21 years, 3 months, 5 days
- Year: 1997
- Clubs: FC Barcelona, Inter Milan, Cruzeiro, PSV Eindhoven, Real Madrid, AC Milan, and Corinthians.
Ronaldo became the youngest ever winner of the Ballon d’Or in 1997. At just 21, he had already lit up Europe with his pace, dribbling, and finishing. That season, he scored more than 40 goals across competitions and showed why he would go on to be called “O Fenômeno” (The Phenomenon).
Conclusion
The list of youngest Ballon d’Or winners proves that greatness can come early. Ronaldo Nazário’s record as the youngest winner has stood for nearly three decades, showing just how rare such early success is. From George Best to Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, all of these players went on to become legends of the game.
The Ballon d’Or is about more than just trophies and goals, it recognises players who change the game and inspire fans worldwide. The history of young winners reminds us that football will always have room for fresh talent ready to take on the world.
Written by Kinjal Walantra
