- The Ballon d’Or has honoured football’s brightest stars for nearly seven decades, shaping the legacy of the game’s greatest icons
- From the golden age of British football to today’s global stage, the award has always defined excellence and immortality
- As another winner prepares to be crowned, history reminds us how it all began with one unforgettable legend
The Ballon d’Or, football’s most prestigious individual honour, has crowned the world’s best players since its inception in 1956.
The very first winner was Sir Stanley Matthews, an English footballer renowned for his dazzling dribbling and extraordinary longevity.
Source: Getty Images
At the time of his triumph, Matthews was playing for Blackpool, cementing his place in football history as the award’s inaugural recipient, as cited by Rsssf.
Stanley Matthews: Football’s First Ballon d’Or winner
Remarkably, Sir Stanley Matthews, who passed away on February 23, 2000, remains the only footballer to have been knighted while still an active player.
Alongside his Ballon d’Or crown, he was also the first to win the Football Writers’ Association Footballer of the Year award.
Matthews’ career stretched into his 50s, a feat unimaginable in today’s demanding game.
He was the oldest player to appear in England’s top flight at 50 years and 5 days, and also the oldest to represent the national team, playing for England at 42 years and 104 days.
Between 1934 and 1957, he earned 54 international caps, featuring at the 1950 and 1954 FIFA World Cups and lifting nine British Home Championships.
Matthews spent 19 years with Stoke City, beginning his professional journey in 1932, guiding the Potters to the Second Division title in both 1932–33 and 1962–63.
In between his two spells with Stoke, he played 14 influential years at Blackpool, where he wrote his name into FA Cup folklore.
After experiencing heartbreak in the 1948 and 1951 FA Cup finals, Matthews inspired Blackpool to a dramatic comeback win in the 1953 final against Bolton Wanderers.
His electrifying performance was so unforgettable that the game was forever dubbed the “Matthews Final.”
Just three years later, his brilliance was rewarded with the 1956 Ballon d’Or, recognising him as Europe’s best footballer.
Source: Getty Images
From Matthews to now: Ballon d’Or 2025 race
Sir Stanley Matthews’ groundbreaking Ballon d’Or win in 1956 laid the foundation for an award that has since been claimed by football icons such as Johan Cruyff, Michel Platini, Lionel Messi, and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Fast-forward to 2025, the stage is now set for a new name to be etched into history, as the final power rankings for this year’s awards generate lots of buzz on all socials.
Lamine Yamal, Barcelona’s teenage sensation, and Ousmane Dembélé, the dazzling PSG winger, are the two frontrunners for this year’s Ballon d’Or.
The winner will be announced on Monday, September 22, 2025, carrying forward the legacy that Matthews began nearly 70 years ago.
From the “Wizard of Dribble” to today’s modern superstars, the Ballon d’Or continues to symbolise footballing excellence, a tradition that started with Sir Stanley Matthews’ unforgettable triumph.
Ousmane Dembele tipped for Ballon d’Or
In an earlier report, YEN.com.gh revealed that Ousmane Dembele had allegedly been informed by Ballon d’Or organisers that he will be crowned the 2025 winner.
The news sparked huge debate among fans, especially with Barcelona wonderkid Lamine Yamal also tipped as a strong favourite.
Source: YEN.com.gh
Source: Yen.com.gh
