By 90min | Created at 2024-10-29 21:33:04 | Updated at 2024-10-30 15:23:50
2 weeks ago
The Ballon d'Or's first ever victor remains its oldest. Stanley Matthews scooped the inaugural award in 1956 at an astounding 41 years old.
However, at the other end of the spectrum, there have been some remarkably youthful past winners. While no teenager has claimed football's most coveted individual prize - yet, at least - there have been an array of up-and-coming world-beaters that have been crowned the planet's best at a tender age.
Only one Ballon d'Or victor has been presented with the award prior to their 22nd birthday, topping a list of young superstars that have revolutionised football throughout the years.
Here are the youngest Ballon d'Or winners ever.
Johan Cruyff won the first of three awards in 1971 / VI-Images/GettyImages
8. Marco van Basten
Marco van Basten won three Ballon d'Or titles / Etsuo Hara/GettyImages
Eusebio won the tenth Ballon d'Or / STAFF/GettyImages
6. Cristiano Ronaldo
Cristiano Ronaldo won his first of five in 2008 / ANDREW YATES/GettyImages
Oleg Blokhin is one of three Soviet Union winners / Getty Images/GettyImages
4. George Best
George Best won the award in 1968 / Hulton Deutsch/GettyImages
Lionel Messi is an eight-time winner / JOSEP LAGO/GettyImages
2. Michael Owen
Michael Owen is the youngest Englishman to win / Michael Steele/GettyImages
Ronaldo won the award aged 21 / Alessandro Sabattini/GettyImages
