The legendary George Best is considered one of the greatest footballers the game has ever witnessed. In 1968, he became Northern Ireland’s first winner of the Ballon d’Or and third Manchester United player to claim the trophy following Denis Law …
1968 Ballon d’Or Winner: George Best. The Belfast Boy Who Became A Man Read More »
In 1959, the Ballon d’Or was awarded to Alfredo Di Stéfano for a second time in only the fourth edition of the competition. The Argentine-born forward joined Real Madrid from River Plate in 1953 for around £20,000. Di Stefano was …
1959 Ballon d’Or Winner: Alfredo Di Stefano. The Blonde Arrow Read More »
In 1967, Florian Albert became the first Hungarian to win the Ballon d’Or and second central European player to claim the accolade, following Czechoslovakian midfielder Josef Masopust five years earlier. The striker had been scoring consistently in Hungary’s top flight …
1967 Ballon d’Or Winner: Florian Albert. European Football’s Newest Superstar Read More »
There are a total of 46 games in an EFL Championship season. Teams play each other twice – once at home and once away. After every club has played all 46 of their fixtures then the team with the most …
In 1960, Spanish midfield maestro Luis Suarez won the Ballon d’Or’s fifth-ever edition. He became the first Spain-born player and third La Liga based footballer to claim the prize following Real Madrid forward Alfredo Di Stefano in 1957 and 1959 …
1960 Ballon d’Or Winner: Luis Suarez. The Architect Of European Football Read More »
Perhaps the greatest Danish outfielder of all time, alongside Micheal Laudrup, Simonsen played his best football at German side Borussia Monchengladbach. But the pinnacle of his prime came in the 76-77 season. Allan Simonsen did not look like a world-class …
1977 Ballon d’Or Winner: Simonsen Comes Out On Top In Tight Top Three Read More »
Stanley Matthews won the first ever Ballon d’Or in 1956, being one of only four Englishman to lift the iconic accolade ahead of Denis Law (1964), George Best (1968) along with Kevin Keegan twice in 1978 and 1979. At the …
1956 Ballon d’Or Winner: Stanley Matthews. The Wizard Of The Dribble 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 …
1958 Ballon d’Or Winner: Raymond Kopa. Real Madrid’s Little Napoleon Read More »
In 1957, Alfredo Di Stéfano was awarded the Ballon d’Or for the first time in only the competition’s second edition. The former Argentinian and adopted Spanish international striker joined Real Madrid from River Plate in 1953 for a fee of …
1957 Ballon d’Or Winner: Alfredo Di Stefano. A European Class Act Read More »
The 1966 Ballon d’Or remains one of the closest contests in the award’s history. It pitted World Cup winner Bobby Charlton against Portuguese legend Eusébio with the Englishman finishing only a single point ahead of his rival. The two men …
1966 Ballon d’Or Winner: Bobby Charlton. A Battle Of World Class Legends Read More »
