Top 10 youngest players to win Ballon d'Or

Since its inception in 1956, the Ballon d’Or has become football’s most prestigious individual award. Over the decades, the trophy has borne the names of the game’s greatest legends — from Stanley Matthews, the very first winner, to Lionel Messi, who holds a record eight titles.

As the 2025 ceremony approaches, the race for the Ballon d’Or remains wide open. Among the top contenders is FC Barcelona’s rising star, Lamine Yamal. If he wins, he could make history as the youngest player ever to claim the coveted prize.

In this article, let’s take a look at the top 10 youngest Ballon d’Or winners in its history.

10. Luis Suarez – 25 years, 7 months and 10 days

Most football fans today might not be familiar with the original Luis Suárez — the legendary Spanish midfielder born in 1935 — but during his time, he was considered one of the best in the world. Suárez starred for clubs like Barcelona and Inter Milan, and in 1960, at just 25 years old, he made history by winning the Ballon d’Or. That year, he beat out iconic names like Ferenc Puskás, Alfredo Di Stéfano, and Bobby Charlton to claim the prestigious award.

9. Johan Cruyff – 24 years, 8 months and 3 days

You don’t need to dig too deep to see just how much of a genius Johan Cruyff was — his legacy speaks for itself. Known as the “Flying Dutchman,” Cruyff is still widely regarded as one of the greatest footballers of all time. He was the brain behind the revolutionary “Total Football” style that Rinus Michels' Ajax made famous in the early 1970s.

A true generational talent, Cruyff won the Ballon d’Or three times, with his first coming in 1971 at just 24 years, 8 months, and 3 days old.

8. Marco van Basten – 24 years, 1 month and 27 days

At the start of 1988, Marco van Basten could hardly have imagined that he would end the year as the best footballer in the world. After suffering a serious ankle injury in October 1987, the Dutch striker didn’t return to action until March. But what followed was nothing short of remarkable. He helped the Netherlands win the European Championship that summer, then returned to AC Milan and continued to impress. By December, his incredible comeback was complete: he was awarded the Ballon d'Or for the first time in his career.

7. Eusebio – 23 years, 11 months and 3 days

Eusébio won the Ballon d’Or in 1965, three years after narrowly missing out to Josef Masopust in 1962. Born in Maputo, Mozambique, he became the first Portuguese player to claim the prestigious award. Nicknamed the “Black Panther,” Eusébio had just come off a sensational season, finishing as the league's top scorer with 28 goals and playing a key role in helping SL Benfica retain their Portuguese league title.

6. Cristiano Ronaldo – 23 years, 9 months and 27 days

Cristiano Ronaldo has always aimed for greatness, following in the footsteps of the legends before him. Now a five-time Ballon d’Or winner, he embodies everything his predecessors were known for—strength, speed, and an unstoppable instinct for scoring goals. A fierce competitor and a nightmare for defenders, Ronaldo won his first Ballon d’Or in 2008, marking the beginning of a truly legendary career.

5. Oleg Blokhin – 23 years, 1 month and 25 days

When Oleg Blokhin won the Ballon d’Or in 1975, he was just 23 years, 1 month, and 25 days old. Hailing from the Ukrainian Soviet Republic, Blokhin became only the second Soviet player in history to claim the prestigious award—following in the footsteps of legendary goalkeeper Lev Yashin, who won it two years earlier. That season, Blokhin had an outstanding run with Dynamo Kyiv, leading them to victory in the European Cup Winners’ Cup and finishing as the top scorer in the Soviet league.

4. George Best – 22 years, 7 months and 2 days

In 1968, George Best became the third Manchester United player to win the Ballon d'Or, taking over from his teammate Bobby Charlton. That year marked one of the high points of Best's career. He also made history as the first Northern Irishman to receive the prestigious award, earning more votes than legends like Bobby Charlton, Dragan Džajić, and Franz Beckenbauer.

3. Lionel Messi – 22 years, 5 months and 7 days

Lionel Messi won his first Ballon d'Or in 2009 with a staggering 98.5% of the vote — a clear sign of just how dominant he was. It was a historic moment, as Messi became the first Argentine ever to win the prestigious award. That year, he was the star of a Barcelona team that made football history by winning all six major trophies in a single season: La Liga, the Copa del Rey, the Champions League, the Spanish Super Cup, the UEFA Super Cup, and the FIFA Club World Cup. It was a season that will never be forgotten, and Messi was at the heart of it all.

2. Michael Owen – 22 years and 4 days

Wearing the iconic number 10 shirt, Michael Owen played a key role in Liverpool’s unforgettable 2000–01 season under manager Gérard Houllier. Despite missing 15 games through injury, the English striker still managed to score 24 goals and provide 7 assists in 46 appearances across all competitions. He featured in every major tournament Liverpool competed in that season—including the FA Cup, League Cup, Community Shield, UEFA Cup, and UEFA Super Cup—helping the club secure an incredible cup treble.

Owen’s outstanding performances earned him the prestigious Ballon d’Or in 2001, beating out top contenders like Raúl González and Oliver Kahn.

1. Ronaldo Nazario – 21 years, 3 months and 5 days

On December 23, 1997, Ronaldo Nazário became the youngest player in history to win the Ballon d’Or, at just 21 years, 3 months, and 5 days old. After an incredible season with Barcelona—where he won La Liga, the Copa del Rey, and the Copa América with Brazil, while also finishing as the league’s top scorer—he was deservedly crowned the best player in the world.

Cover Credits - Goal.com