Aidan Russell The 1972 Ballon d’Or saw a trio of Germans vying for football’s ultimate individual prize. In the process, Franz Beckenbauer became only the second West German national and Bayern Munich player to win the trophy following Gerd Müller in 1970. He was also the first defender to claim the Ballon d’Or since its inception in … Read more
In 1988, Netherlands forward Marco van Basten won the first of his three Ballon d’Or titles. He became only the third Dutch international to claim the award after Johan Cruyff in 1971, 1973 and 1974 along with Ruud Gullit the previous calendar year in 1987. Gullit claimed second place this time around with his international … Read more
When people think of underdog European runs resulting in unprecedented victories, the last and biggest shock for most would be Porto’s run in 2004. A run that propelled Jose Mourinho into the footballing stratosphere. For a team in a league outside the top 5, even if it was just outside in 6th, this victory was … Read more
In the captivating world of soccer, the blend of athleticism and fervor extends beyond the field, and touches various facets of the economy. Industries capitalize on the global appeal of this beloved sport, weaving their marketing narratives through the thrill and excitement that accompanies every match. The symphony of the fans’ roars and the spectacle … Read more
For many, the most dominant Premier League team is up for debate — and considering how popular English football is, it is one of the biggest debates. However, one English side has had unmatched success: the Theatre of Dreams’ very own Manchester United. One of the most iconic and influential football teams ever, Man United … Read more
Heading into the 1998 World Cup, Brazil looked damn good. Ronaldo was coming into France ’98 off the back of a stunning 34-goal debut season with Inter Milan and had been the talisman behind Brazil’s road to the final. A crucial goal against the Netherlands had helped them over the line in the semi-finals, as … Read more
Rarely does sport throw up rags-to-riches stories to match that of Wimbledon FC in the late 80s and early 90s. And it’s unlikely the feat of the team who became known as the Crazy Gang will ever be repeated. In the 70s, Wimbledon were a very successful non-league club, and in 1977 the club was promoted … Read more
In 1958, Real Madrid forward Raymond Kopa was awarded the Ballon d’Or. He became the first French player to win the accolade with no other claiming the prize until fellow countryman Michel Platini in 1983. Kopa was the second Real Madrid star to lift the Ballon d’Or after Alfredo Di Stefano, with players from the … Read more
After an incredible 1980 season, that was twice as good as his best season prior to his first Ballon d’Or, he’d go on to improve even further. After 5 seasons of establishing himself, and gradually progressing, Rummenigge had hit his stride. The 1980 season that earned him a first Ballon d’Or saw him score 26 … Read more
Paolo Rossi’s 1982 Ballon d’Or win is a story of one man who overcame adversity and against all odds rose to the very top of world football. He became only the third Italian to win the award after Juventus’ Omar Sívori in 1961 and AC Milan midfielder Gianni Rivera eight years later. The manner in … Read more