© Getty Images
Football meets glamour at the start of each year, with the global spotlight trained firmly on Zurich, where football's standout performers of the previous 12 months are honoured at the FIFA Ballon d'Or Gala.
On 13 January 2014 the biggest names in world football will once again converge on the Swiss metropolis to witness first-hand who will receive the awards won by Lionel Messi and Abby Wambach at the previous Gala.
The event is always a special occasion for FIFA.com too. The official website of world football's governing body is packed with numerous exclusive interviews with the globe's most renowned players, coaches and personalities.
With the FIFA Ballon d’Or 2013 edging ever closer, we rounded up 13 of the most memorable quotes from our coverage of the last 13 years of the prestigious ceremony. The award and the year each quote comes from is in brackets after the speaker's name.
Relive last year's FIFA Ballon d'Or Gala with a look at our picture and video galleries in the menu on the right.
“In a way I think I've been lucky with these awards this year, because the best strikers haven't had their shooting boots on (laughs). In years gone by there have been defenders on the final shortlist but the forwards have been very strong and decisive, and have scored very important goals. It might be the case that this year the strikers haven't really caught the eye and that's why they've given the awards to me."
Six months after winning the 2006 FIFA World Cup™ with Italy, defender Fabio Cannavaro (FIFA World Player of the Year 2006) responds to a question asking if winning the award was a reward for his hard work.
"The kimono is part of Japanese culture. For us this dress signifies purity and also allows us to look graceful for special occasions like this one. It was a way of representing my country with pride, and it also forces me to walk nice and straight!"
Japan’s Homare Sawa (FIFA Ballon d’Or winner 2011) reveals why she chose to wear a traditional Japanese outfit at the Gala.
"No-one could have predicted that South Africans would feel so good about themselves. It was reminiscent of the time when Nelson Mandela was released from prison or when we won the Rugby World Cup. You can’t put a monetary value on it. So many South Africans of so many different races walked tall with their heads held high. We were showing off our flags, and we even gave the world the Vuvuzela! (laughs)."
Former Anglican archbishop and Nobel Peace Prize winner Desmond Tutu (FIFA Presidential award winner 2010) in reply to a question about the importance of staging the 2010 World Cup for the people of South Africa.
"Without the players we coaches are nothing. The perfect team isn’t the one where the coach merely transforms the players, but one in which the players make the coach a better person too."
Portuguese coach Jose Mourinho (FIFA World Coach of the Year for Men’s Football for 2010) explains why he was visibly moved when his Inter Milan players were honoured during the Gala.
"It's a source of great happiness and I can't wait for it to happen. I don't know if I'll be too old by then but it's something I'm aiming for. It's going to be extremely important for the development of Brazil, though, and a great event for the people. The country's already building up for it and it's going to be a great World Cup."
Six years ago Kaka (FIFA World Player of the Year 2007) was already looking forward to the 2014 World Cup, which will kick off in his homeland in a matter of months.
"It gives me the happiest feeling in the world. I just love scoring. It doesn't matter if it's a simple goal from close range, a long shot or a dribble around several players, I just love to score all goals."
Six months on from Brazil’s 2002 World Cup triumph, O Fenômeno Ronaldo (FIFA World Player of the Year 2002) was refreshingly open and honest in describing what he feels when he scores a goal.
"I can't sing you a song, or paint you a picture but I was always a pretty good athlete - it was the way I expressed myself! I've made incredible friends; I've seen amazing places. It was awesome."
USA women’s football legend Mia Hamm (FIFA Women’s World Player of the Year 2002) expresses what the sport means to her.
On 13 January 2014 the biggest names in world football will once again converge on the Swiss metropolis to witness first-hand who will receive the awards won by Lionel Messi and Abby Wambach at the previous Gala.
The event is always a special occasion for FIFA.com too. The official website of world football's governing body is packed with numerous exclusive interviews with the globe's most renowned players, coaches and personalities.
With the FIFA Ballon d’Or 2013 edging ever closer, we rounded up 13 of the most memorable quotes from our coverage of the last 13 years of the prestigious ceremony. The award and the year each quote comes from is in brackets after the speaker's name.
Relive last year's FIFA Ballon d'Or Gala with a look at our picture and video galleries in the menu on the right.
“In a way I think I've been lucky with these awards this year, because the best strikers haven't had their shooting boots on (laughs). In years gone by there have been defenders on the final shortlist but the forwards have been very strong and decisive, and have scored very important goals. It might be the case that this year the strikers haven't really caught the eye and that's why they've given the awards to me."
Six months after winning the 2006 FIFA World Cup™ with Italy, defender Fabio Cannavaro (FIFA World Player of the Year 2006) responds to a question asking if winning the award was a reward for his hard work.
"The kimono is part of Japanese culture. For us this dress signifies purity and also allows us to look graceful for special occasions like this one. It was a way of representing my country with pride, and it also forces me to walk nice and straight!"
Japan’s Homare Sawa (FIFA Ballon d’Or winner 2011) reveals why she chose to wear a traditional Japanese outfit at the Gala.
"No-one could have predicted that South Africans would feel so good about themselves. It was reminiscent of the time when Nelson Mandela was released from prison or when we won the Rugby World Cup. You can’t put a monetary value on it. So many South Africans of so many different races walked tall with their heads held high. We were showing off our flags, and we even gave the world the Vuvuzela! (laughs)."
Former Anglican archbishop and Nobel Peace Prize winner Desmond Tutu (FIFA Presidential award winner 2010) in reply to a question about the importance of staging the 2010 World Cup for the people of South Africa.
"Without the players we coaches are nothing. The perfect team isn’t the one where the coach merely transforms the players, but one in which the players make the coach a better person too."
Portuguese coach Jose Mourinho (FIFA World Coach of the Year for Men’s Football for 2010) explains why he was visibly moved when his Inter Milan players were honoured during the Gala.
"It's a source of great happiness and I can't wait for it to happen. I don't know if I'll be too old by then but it's something I'm aiming for. It's going to be extremely important for the development of Brazil, though, and a great event for the people. The country's already building up for it and it's going to be a great World Cup."
Six years ago Kaka (FIFA World Player of the Year 2007) was already looking forward to the 2014 World Cup, which will kick off in his homeland in a matter of months.
"It gives me the happiest feeling in the world. I just love scoring. It doesn't matter if it's a simple goal from close range, a long shot or a dribble around several players, I just love to score all goals."
Six months on from Brazil’s 2002 World Cup triumph, O Fenômeno Ronaldo (FIFA World Player of the Year 2002) was refreshingly open and honest in describing what he feels when he scores a goal.
"I can't sing you a song, or paint you a picture but I was always a pretty good athlete - it was the way I expressed myself! I've made incredible friends; I've seen amazing places. It was awesome."
USA women’s football legend Mia Hamm (FIFA Women’s World Player of the Year 2002) expresses what the sport means to her.
"I dreamed about playing in the first division, but I never imagined that all these things would happen to me."
Argentinian superstar Lionel Messi (FIFA Ballon d’Or winner 2011) admitted his career trajectory has surpassed his own expectations.
"I'm still ambitious. I want to carry on and get better and better, even though it's hard to achieve that. My ambition is huge."
Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo (FIFA World Player of the Year 2008) on his footballing future.
"It means a lot, especially for us because it’s harder for women. The men earn a lot of money and they have a lot of clubs they can choose to play for. We work very hard but we’re always thinking about what might happen next year, if there’s going to be a team or a competition even. That’s what makes this an honour and a source of pride. This trophy isn’t just for me. It’s dedicated to women’s football as a whole."
Brazilian women’s football icon Marta (FIFA Ballon d’Or winner 2010) after winning the FIFA Women’s World Player of the Year award for a fifth consecutive time.
"This is a great source of joy, but you don’t become a player or a coach to win awards. You do so to enjoy the game, to put a certain philosophy into practice and work with the players."
The then FC Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola (FIFA World Coach of the Year for Men’s Football for 2011) responding to a question about whether he found it paradoxical to receive an individual award for a team whose strength is their togetherness.
"The older you get, the more you receive awards like this with a greater sense of responsibility."
Spain’s national team coach Vicente del Bosque's (FIFA World Coach of the Year for Men’s Football 2012) experience shines through after he received the award in Zurich.
"It is all about respect, discipline, fair play. After all, it is easy to celebrate victory, but much harder to accept defeat with dignity. This is exactly where many supposed stars differ from the true champions we are honouring here this evening."
FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter at the FIFA Ballon d’Or Gala 2012.
Argentinian superstar Lionel Messi (FIFA Ballon d’Or winner 2011) admitted his career trajectory has surpassed his own expectations.
"I'm still ambitious. I want to carry on and get better and better, even though it's hard to achieve that. My ambition is huge."
Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo (FIFA World Player of the Year 2008) on his footballing future.
"It means a lot, especially for us because it’s harder for women. The men earn a lot of money and they have a lot of clubs they can choose to play for. We work very hard but we’re always thinking about what might happen next year, if there’s going to be a team or a competition even. That’s what makes this an honour and a source of pride. This trophy isn’t just for me. It’s dedicated to women’s football as a whole."
Brazilian women’s football icon Marta (FIFA Ballon d’Or winner 2010) after winning the FIFA Women’s World Player of the Year award for a fifth consecutive time.
"This is a great source of joy, but you don’t become a player or a coach to win awards. You do so to enjoy the game, to put a certain philosophy into practice and work with the players."
The then FC Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola (FIFA World Coach of the Year for Men’s Football for 2011) responding to a question about whether he found it paradoxical to receive an individual award for a team whose strength is their togetherness.
"The older you get, the more you receive awards like this with a greater sense of responsibility."
Spain’s national team coach Vicente del Bosque's (FIFA World Coach of the Year for Men’s Football 2012) experience shines through after he received the award in Zurich.
"It is all about respect, discipline, fair play. After all, it is easy to celebrate victory, but much harder to accept defeat with dignity. This is exactly where many supposed stars differ from the true champions we are honouring here this evening."
FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter at the FIFA Ballon d’Or Gala 2012.
13 facts about the FIFA Ballon d'Or
(FIFA.com) Monday 14 October 2013
© Getty Images
From Sir Stanley Matthews in 1956 to Lionel Messi in 2012, the tradition of anointing one footballer as the world's greatest every year is now over five decades old. A glittering list of names have been honoured down the years as the practice has become a fixture in the football calendar, producing statistics and anecdotes for fans of the game to feast on. With just a few weeks to go before the name of the 2013 FIFA Ballon d'Or winner is unveiled, FIFA.com shines a light on 13 facts relating to football's most prestigious individual prize.
1) French foundationsLike FIFA itself, founded in 1904, the FIFA World Cup™, which came into being in 1928, and the Jules Rimet trophy handed out to that competition's first winners, the Ballon d'Or first originated in France. The award was created by France Football magazine in order to honour the finest footballer in Europe, and was initially called the Ballon d'Or France Football. With the beautiful game having its roots on the other side of the English Channel, however, it was perhaps fitting that the inaugural prize should go to England's Sir Stanley Matthews in 1956.
2) Widening the fieldAt the start, the trophy could only be attributed to the best European player plying his trade for a European club. That rule was changed in 1995, when it was stipulated that players only had to be on the books of a European side and could hail from further afield. In 2007, the Ballon d'Or was then opened up to players across the globe, regardless of their club affiliation, an approach retained three years later when the Ballon d'Or France Football merged with the FIFA World Player of the Year award, created in 1991. For the likes of South American stars Pele, Garrincha, Diego Maradona, Zico and Teofilo Cubillas, however, that came too late.
3) Making up for lost time Given the restrictive rules originally in place, it took until 1994 for Brazil's Romario to become the first South American to win the FIFA World Player of the Year award, with his compatriot Ronaldo then breaking similar ground in the Ballon d'Or stakes in 1997. That said, the duo were actually following in the footsteps of a pair of Argentinians, since Spain's Alfredo Di Stefano – Ballon d'Or winner in 1957 and 1959 – and Italy's Omar Sivori – the triumphant player in 1961 – both had dual nationality and were born on Argentinian soil. Either way, South America has certainly been making up for lost time in recent years, with the last four honours going to Argentina's Lionel Messi.
4) African exceptionThe prize has been dominated by European and South American talents down the years, and their grip has proved so tight that only once has a player from another continent been voted the world's best. That was George Weah in 1995, the Liberian forward claiming both the Ballon d'Or and FIFA World Player of the Year award to ensure Africa a permanent place in the global reckoning.
5) The trailblazerThe inaugural Ballon d'Or winner was English football legend Sir Stanley Matthews, a player whose immense talent seemed almost to be inversely proportional to the amount of trophies he accumulated. But although his silverware collection was limited to the FA Cup he won with Blackpool in 1953, the right winger earned himself the nickname the 'Wizard of the dribble' and a glittering reputation that continues to endure, thanks to his talent, exemplary behaviour and impeccable lifestyle. Those qualities allowed him to keep on playing at the highest level until the age of 50, and incredibly he received the Ballon d'Or aged 41.
6) Youth to the foreAt the opposite end of the age spectrum, the youngest ever winner was Brazil's Ronaldo, who picked up both prizes at 21 in 1997, with England's Michael Owen just a few months older when he was handed the Ballon d'Or in 2001. As for current holder Lionel Messi, he became the joint youngest player on the podium when he finished third in 2007, the Argentinian forward then being aged 20 like Ronaldo in 1996. La Pulga (the Flea) also became the youngest two-time winner at 23 in 2010, the youngest three-time winner at 24 in 2011 and the youngest four-time winner at 25 last year – though naturally the Barcelona phenomenon is also the oldest player in the latter category as he entered uncharted waters when receiving that unprecedented fourth honour.
7) Repeat offendersBefore Messi set that benchmark in 2012, three other players were tied with the Argentinian on a hat-trick of titles each, Dutch legend Johan Cruyff lighting the way with his wins in 1971, 1973 and 1974. He was followed by France's Michel Platini, who dominated a three-year stretch from 1983 to 1985, with Cruyff"s compatriot Marco van Basten then prevailing in 1988, 1989 and 1992. Five players have been crowned twice, meanwhile: Alfredo Di Stefano (1957, 1959), Franz Beckenbauer (1972, 1976), Kevin Keegan (1978, 1979), Karl-Heinz Rummenigge (1980, 1981) and Ronaldo (1997, 2002). On the FIFA World Player of the Year front, Zinedine Zidane and Ronaldo share the honour of having earned the title three times, the Frenchman – who also received the Ballon d'Or in 1998 – triumphing in 1998, 2000 and 2003, and the Brazil forward topping the poll in 1996, 1997 and 2002.
8) On the attackOf the 57 Ballon d'Or awards to have been handed out down the years, no fewer than 52 have gone to forwards or attacking midfielders, leaving just five for players not focused on attacking duties. Four of those have gone to defenders, Beckenbauer securing two before Matthias Sammer followed suit in 1996 and Fabio Cannavaro continued the tradition ten years later. Lothar Matthaus may have ended his career in central defence, but he was pulling strings further up the pitch when he got his hands on the prize in 1980. As for goalkeepers, only one has ever seen off his outfield colleagues – Lev Yashin of the Soviet Union, the 'Black Spider' winning in 1963 to become the first ever non-attacking player and still the sole custodian to be recognised. Italy duo Dino Zoff and Gianluigi Buffon finished second in 1973 and 2006 respectively, while the Czech Republic's Ivo Viktor came in third in 1976, as did Germany's Oliver Kahn in 2001 and 2002. Since the Ballon d'Or merged with the FIFA World Player of the Year, Cannavaro is the only man to have broken the monopoly of attack-minded players.
9) Global recognitionGiven that the award was initially restricted to European players based in Europe, it is little surprise to see that footballers from the Old Continent dominate the list of former laureates. The countries that have enjoyed the highest number of winning years are the Netherlands and Germany, with seven apiece – the victories being shared among three players for the Dutch (Cruyff, Van Basten, Ruud Gullit) and five for the Germans (Gerd Muller, Beckenbauer, Rummenigge, Matthaus, Sammer). Next on the list is France with six, including three for Platini alone; while Italy, Brazil and England have all claimed five wins; Messi has secured four for Argentina; the Soviet Union, Portugal and Spain have taken three apiece; and Czechoslovakia two; with one each for Ukraine, Liberia, Northern Ireland, Hungary, Scotland, Denmark and Bulgaria. Brazil dominates the FIFA World Player of the Year picture, meanwhile, boasting eight winning years to France's three – all courtesy of Zidane – and a duo of crowns for both Portugal and Italy. Lastly, the FIFA Ballon d'Or has only had one victorious nation, Messi taking the prize three times for Argentina in 2010, 2011 and 2012.
10) Welcome to the clubSince the Ballon d'Or was first bestowed in 1956, several clubs have enjoyed cycles of dominance in world football. Most recently, Barcelona and their players have swept up every prize available in the global game, including the Ballon d'Or. Indeed, ten footballers have been crowned while representing Barça, putting the Liga heavyweights at the top of the pile ahead of Juventus and AC Milan (eight), Real Madrid (six), Bayern Munich (five), Manchester United (four), and Inter Milan, Dynamo Kiev and Hamburg (two). Broadening the survey to include players who have earned podium places, Barcelona still lead the way with 27, followed by Madrid (21), Milan (17), Juventus (16) and Inter (11). Impressively, the two Spanish giants also have occupied every podium spot going since the FIFA Ballon d'Or was launched, the Blaugrana claiming three wins, one runner-up finish and three third places, and Los Merengues providing the other two runners-up.
11) Leading leaguesIn terms of the championships best represented on the roll call of previous recipients, Serie A and the Liga stand out in front, Italy's top flight contributing 18 Ballon d'Or winners and 48 podium places while 16 trophies and 49 podium spots have gone to the Spanish competition. At the other end of the scale, 1991 winner Jean-Pierre Papin is the only footballer to have been anointed while based in France, Florian Albert became the sole winner playing in Hungary in 1967 and Josef Masopust put Czechoslovakia on the map in 1962. Cruyff collected the Dutch Eredivisie's sole honour in 1971, meanwhile, his two other titles coming during his spell with Barcelona.
12) Sharing the wealth
During the period when the FIFA World Player of the Year award first ran alongside the Ballon d'Or, the winners of the two prizes tended to differ. That was certainly the case in 1991, when Matthaus was honoured by FIFA and Papin took the Ballon d'Or – with Romario claiming the former title and Hristo Stoichkov the latter in 1994, Ronaldo and Sammer sharing the trophies in 1996, Zidane and Luis Figo prevailing in 2000, Owen and Figo on top in 2001, Zidane and Pavel Nedved both crowned in 2003, and Ronaldinho and Andriy Shevchenko taking the prizes in 2004. The same player triumphed on both fronts in the other years, as was also the case from 2005 to the merger of the two awards in 2010: Ronaldinho (2005), Cannavaro (2006), Kaka (2007), Cristiano Ronaldo (2008) and Messi (2009) sweeping the board.
13) The world at their feetOf the 43 players to have received the Ballon d'Or, only 11 have also lifted the World Cup: Bobby Charlton (1966), Gerd Muller (1974), Franz Beckenbauer (1974), Paolo Rossi (1982), Lothar Matthaus (1990), Zinedine Zidane (1998), Rivaldo (2002), Ronaldo (1994, 2002), Ronaldinho (2002), Fabio Cannavaro (2006) and Kaka (2002). That is perhaps why, in the build-up to this year's announcement, Lionel Messi felt moved to explain: "Given the choice of a fifth Ballon d'Or or winning the World Cup with Argentina, I'd go for the World Cup without hesitation." Of course, there is nothing to say he cannot win both!
1) French foundationsLike FIFA itself, founded in 1904, the FIFA World Cup™, which came into being in 1928, and the Jules Rimet trophy handed out to that competition's first winners, the Ballon d'Or first originated in France. The award was created by France Football magazine in order to honour the finest footballer in Europe, and was initially called the Ballon d'Or France Football. With the beautiful game having its roots on the other side of the English Channel, however, it was perhaps fitting that the inaugural prize should go to England's Sir Stanley Matthews in 1956.
2) Widening the fieldAt the start, the trophy could only be attributed to the best European player plying his trade for a European club. That rule was changed in 1995, when it was stipulated that players only had to be on the books of a European side and could hail from further afield. In 2007, the Ballon d'Or was then opened up to players across the globe, regardless of their club affiliation, an approach retained three years later when the Ballon d'Or France Football merged with the FIFA World Player of the Year award, created in 1991. For the likes of South American stars Pele, Garrincha, Diego Maradona, Zico and Teofilo Cubillas, however, that came too late.
3) Making up for lost time Given the restrictive rules originally in place, it took until 1994 for Brazil's Romario to become the first South American to win the FIFA World Player of the Year award, with his compatriot Ronaldo then breaking similar ground in the Ballon d'Or stakes in 1997. That said, the duo were actually following in the footsteps of a pair of Argentinians, since Spain's Alfredo Di Stefano – Ballon d'Or winner in 1957 and 1959 – and Italy's Omar Sivori – the triumphant player in 1961 – both had dual nationality and were born on Argentinian soil. Either way, South America has certainly been making up for lost time in recent years, with the last four honours going to Argentina's Lionel Messi.
4) African exceptionThe prize has been dominated by European and South American talents down the years, and their grip has proved so tight that only once has a player from another continent been voted the world's best. That was George Weah in 1995, the Liberian forward claiming both the Ballon d'Or and FIFA World Player of the Year award to ensure Africa a permanent place in the global reckoning.
5) The trailblazerThe inaugural Ballon d'Or winner was English football legend Sir Stanley Matthews, a player whose immense talent seemed almost to be inversely proportional to the amount of trophies he accumulated. But although his silverware collection was limited to the FA Cup he won with Blackpool in 1953, the right winger earned himself the nickname the 'Wizard of the dribble' and a glittering reputation that continues to endure, thanks to his talent, exemplary behaviour and impeccable lifestyle. Those qualities allowed him to keep on playing at the highest level until the age of 50, and incredibly he received the Ballon d'Or aged 41.
6) Youth to the foreAt the opposite end of the age spectrum, the youngest ever winner was Brazil's Ronaldo, who picked up both prizes at 21 in 1997, with England's Michael Owen just a few months older when he was handed the Ballon d'Or in 2001. As for current holder Lionel Messi, he became the joint youngest player on the podium when he finished third in 2007, the Argentinian forward then being aged 20 like Ronaldo in 1996. La Pulga (the Flea) also became the youngest two-time winner at 23 in 2010, the youngest three-time winner at 24 in 2011 and the youngest four-time winner at 25 last year – though naturally the Barcelona phenomenon is also the oldest player in the latter category as he entered uncharted waters when receiving that unprecedented fourth honour.
7) Repeat offendersBefore Messi set that benchmark in 2012, three other players were tied with the Argentinian on a hat-trick of titles each, Dutch legend Johan Cruyff lighting the way with his wins in 1971, 1973 and 1974. He was followed by France's Michel Platini, who dominated a three-year stretch from 1983 to 1985, with Cruyff"s compatriot Marco van Basten then prevailing in 1988, 1989 and 1992. Five players have been crowned twice, meanwhile: Alfredo Di Stefano (1957, 1959), Franz Beckenbauer (1972, 1976), Kevin Keegan (1978, 1979), Karl-Heinz Rummenigge (1980, 1981) and Ronaldo (1997, 2002). On the FIFA World Player of the Year front, Zinedine Zidane and Ronaldo share the honour of having earned the title three times, the Frenchman – who also received the Ballon d'Or in 1998 – triumphing in 1998, 2000 and 2003, and the Brazil forward topping the poll in 1996, 1997 and 2002.
8) On the attackOf the 57 Ballon d'Or awards to have been handed out down the years, no fewer than 52 have gone to forwards or attacking midfielders, leaving just five for players not focused on attacking duties. Four of those have gone to defenders, Beckenbauer securing two before Matthias Sammer followed suit in 1996 and Fabio Cannavaro continued the tradition ten years later. Lothar Matthaus may have ended his career in central defence, but he was pulling strings further up the pitch when he got his hands on the prize in 1980. As for goalkeepers, only one has ever seen off his outfield colleagues – Lev Yashin of the Soviet Union, the 'Black Spider' winning in 1963 to become the first ever non-attacking player and still the sole custodian to be recognised. Italy duo Dino Zoff and Gianluigi Buffon finished second in 1973 and 2006 respectively, while the Czech Republic's Ivo Viktor came in third in 1976, as did Germany's Oliver Kahn in 2001 and 2002. Since the Ballon d'Or merged with the FIFA World Player of the Year, Cannavaro is the only man to have broken the monopoly of attack-minded players.
9) Global recognitionGiven that the award was initially restricted to European players based in Europe, it is little surprise to see that footballers from the Old Continent dominate the list of former laureates. The countries that have enjoyed the highest number of winning years are the Netherlands and Germany, with seven apiece – the victories being shared among three players for the Dutch (Cruyff, Van Basten, Ruud Gullit) and five for the Germans (Gerd Muller, Beckenbauer, Rummenigge, Matthaus, Sammer). Next on the list is France with six, including three for Platini alone; while Italy, Brazil and England have all claimed five wins; Messi has secured four for Argentina; the Soviet Union, Portugal and Spain have taken three apiece; and Czechoslovakia two; with one each for Ukraine, Liberia, Northern Ireland, Hungary, Scotland, Denmark and Bulgaria. Brazil dominates the FIFA World Player of the Year picture, meanwhile, boasting eight winning years to France's three – all courtesy of Zidane – and a duo of crowns for both Portugal and Italy. Lastly, the FIFA Ballon d'Or has only had one victorious nation, Messi taking the prize three times for Argentina in 2010, 2011 and 2012.
10) Welcome to the clubSince the Ballon d'Or was first bestowed in 1956, several clubs have enjoyed cycles of dominance in world football. Most recently, Barcelona and their players have swept up every prize available in the global game, including the Ballon d'Or. Indeed, ten footballers have been crowned while representing Barça, putting the Liga heavyweights at the top of the pile ahead of Juventus and AC Milan (eight), Real Madrid (six), Bayern Munich (five), Manchester United (four), and Inter Milan, Dynamo Kiev and Hamburg (two). Broadening the survey to include players who have earned podium places, Barcelona still lead the way with 27, followed by Madrid (21), Milan (17), Juventus (16) and Inter (11). Impressively, the two Spanish giants also have occupied every podium spot going since the FIFA Ballon d'Or was launched, the Blaugrana claiming three wins, one runner-up finish and three third places, and Los Merengues providing the other two runners-up.
11) Leading leaguesIn terms of the championships best represented on the roll call of previous recipients, Serie A and the Liga stand out in front, Italy's top flight contributing 18 Ballon d'Or winners and 48 podium places while 16 trophies and 49 podium spots have gone to the Spanish competition. At the other end of the scale, 1991 winner Jean-Pierre Papin is the only footballer to have been anointed while based in France, Florian Albert became the sole winner playing in Hungary in 1967 and Josef Masopust put Czechoslovakia on the map in 1962. Cruyff collected the Dutch Eredivisie's sole honour in 1971, meanwhile, his two other titles coming during his spell with Barcelona.
12) Sharing the wealth
During the period when the FIFA World Player of the Year award first ran alongside the Ballon d'Or, the winners of the two prizes tended to differ. That was certainly the case in 1991, when Matthaus was honoured by FIFA and Papin took the Ballon d'Or – with Romario claiming the former title and Hristo Stoichkov the latter in 1994, Ronaldo and Sammer sharing the trophies in 1996, Zidane and Luis Figo prevailing in 2000, Owen and Figo on top in 2001, Zidane and Pavel Nedved both crowned in 2003, and Ronaldinho and Andriy Shevchenko taking the prizes in 2004. The same player triumphed on both fronts in the other years, as was also the case from 2005 to the merger of the two awards in 2010: Ronaldinho (2005), Cannavaro (2006), Kaka (2007), Cristiano Ronaldo (2008) and Messi (2009) sweeping the board.
13) The world at their feetOf the 43 players to have received the Ballon d'Or, only 11 have also lifted the World Cup: Bobby Charlton (1966), Gerd Muller (1974), Franz Beckenbauer (1974), Paolo Rossi (1982), Lothar Matthaus (1990), Zinedine Zidane (1998), Rivaldo (2002), Ronaldo (1994, 2002), Ronaldinho (2002), Fabio Cannavaro (2006) and Kaka (2002). That is perhaps why, in the build-up to this year's announcement, Lionel Messi felt moved to explain: "Given the choice of a fifth Ballon d'Or or winning the World Cup with Argentina, I'd go for the World Cup without hesitation." Of course, there is nothing to say he cannot win both!
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