The Super Ballon d’Or is a prestigious football award that was introduced in 1995 by France Football magazine. The Super Ballon d’Or is a testament to the inclusivity and recognition of excellence in football across genders. It remains a significant milestone in the history of the sport, celebrating the outstanding achievements of players who have left an indelible mark on the global footballing stage.
What Is the Super Ballon d’Or?
The Super Ballon d’Or was introduced in 1995 and is awarded to honor the best male football player in the world over a specific period, often spanning several decades. Unlike the traditional Ballon d’Or, which recognizes the best player in the world for a single calendar year, the Super Ballon d’Or aims to celebrate a player’s exceptional contributions and impact on the sport over a more extended period.
One notable feature of the Super Ballon d’Or is that it can be won by players who have already received the Ballon d’Or multiple times during their career. This unique characteristic allows the Super Ballon d’Or to acknowledge the sustained greatness and legacy of football legends who have consistently excelled and left an indelible mark on the sport.
The winner of the Super Ballon d’Or is typically selected through a combination of votes from viewers and readers, a panel of France Football judges, and former Ballon d’Or winners. This award recognizes the extraordinary and enduring contributions of football players who have achieved excellence over an extended period and have significantly influenced the game.
When Is The Next Super Ballon d’Or?
As football enthusiasts look back at the iconic Super Ballon d’Or awarded in 1989, there is a growing speculation that, 30 years later, the prestigious accolade might make a return. If such an event were to occur, one name stands out as the overwhelming favorite – Lionel Messi.
The basis for this speculation stems from Messi’s extraordinary accomplishments in the years leading up to 2024. In the span of a few years, Messi had etched his name in football history with an unparalleled series of triumphs. His feats included leading Argentina to victory in the 2021 Copa America on Brazilian soil, a historic achievement that had eluded him for much of his international career.
Messi’s crowning moment came in the 2022 FIFA World Cup hosted by Qatar, where he showcased his brilliance by guiding Argentina to victory, cementing his status as one of the all-time greats of the sport. Winning the World Cup was a dream come true for Messi and added another prestigious title to his already illustrious career.
In addition to these international successes, his club performances with Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), Messi’s Inter Miami journey, starting in the summer of 2023, and his record-breaking achievements in terms of goal-scoring and individual brilliance solidified his position as the favorite for the Super Ballon d’Or. By 2023, he had secured his eighth Ballon d’Or, a testament to his consistency and unmatched skill on the football pitch.
The speculation surrounding a potential Super Ballon d’Or in 2029, with Messi as the frontrunner, reflects the enduring impact of football’s greatest talents and their ability to captivate the world with their extraordinary achievements. Messi’s journey from a young prodigy to a legendary figure in the sport serves as an inspiration to aspiring footballers and a testament to the enduring magic of the beautiful game. If such an award were to be reintroduced, it would undoubtedly be a fitting tribute to Messi’s exceptional career and his ability to transcend the boundaries of the sport.
As we look ahead to the possibility of a Super Ballon d’Or in 2029, it’s worth considering that the footballing landscape can change dramatically over a span of five years. While Lionel Messi currently stands as the frontrunner for this coveted honor, the sport has witnessed the rapid ascent of young talents like Kylian Mbappé and Erling Haaland. These prodigious talents have already demonstrated their potential to dominate the football world, with Mbappé securing a World Cup victory under his belt.
Over the next five years, it remains entirely plausible that Mbappé, Haaland, or other emerging stars could embark on a remarkable journey of their own, amassing World Cups, Champions League titles, and Ballon d’Or awards. The footballing world is dynamic and constantly evolving, and the allure of witnessing a new generation of footballing icons rise to prominence is a testament to the evergreen appeal of the beautiful game. Should such talents continue to shine brightly, they may indeed pose a compelling challenge to Messi’s claim to the Super Ballon d’Or, adding an element of anticipation and excitement to the future of football accolades.
In the eyes of EA Sports, the upcoming half-decade is poised for the reign of Haaland and Mbappé in the world of football. Yet, it’s worth mentioning that their prognostication for the 2023 champion didn’t quite hit the mark.
Who Won the Super Ballon d’Or?
The Super Ballon d’Or, an incredibly exclusive football accolade, was awarded only once on December 24, 1989, by the prestigious French magazine France Football. This honor aimed to recognize the finest football player of the previous three decades, making it even more exclusive than the renowned Ballon d’Or.
In the inaugural and, to date, the only presentation of the Super Ballon d’Or, the recipient of this esteemed award was none other than the Spanish-Argentine forward, Alfredo Di Stéfano. Di Stéfano’s contributions to the sport during his illustrious career had left an indelible mark, and this award served as a fitting tribute to his exceptional skills and impact on the world of football.
The selection process for the Super Ballon d’Or involved a unique combination of inputs. The winner was determined through a collective vote that included the preferences of viewers and readers, a panel of France Football judges, as well as former Ballon d’Or winners. Interestingly, there was a divergence in opinion among these groups. While the viewers and readers voted for Michel Platini as the best, the France Football jury and former Ballon d’Or laureates ultimately selected Alfredo Di Stéfano as the deserving recipient of this prestigious accolade.
For many years, Alfredo Di Stéfano’s Super Ballon d’Or trophy found a home at the Real Madrid museum within the iconic Santiago Bernabéu Stadium. However, in 2021, Di Stéfano’s children made the difficult decision to auction off his memorabilia, including this historic trophy. The Super Ballon d’Or was among the items sold to an anonymous buyer for a remarkable £187,500, and its current whereabouts remain unknown.
The ranking for the Super Ballon d’Or in 1989 reflected the outstanding contributions of these football legends:
| Rank | Player |
|---|---|
| 1st | Alfredo Di Stéfano |
| 2nd | Johan Cruyff |
| 3rd | Michel Platini |
Alfredo Di Stéfano’s legacy as the inaugural and sole recipient of the Super Ballon d’Or will forever be etched in the annals of football history, a testament to his unparalleled excellence in the sport.
Super Ballon d’Or 1989: A Tale of Divergent Opinions
According to the viewers and readers, Alfredo Di Stéfano received only 6.4% of the votes, with Michel Platini claiming the top spot with 54.12%. However, it’s important to consider the context that this was a vote conducted by a French magazine, France Football, which may have influenced the results. Such a national vote could potentially be swayed by patriotic sentiments, favoring a French compatriot like Platini.
Interestingly, the outcome of the Super Ballon d’Or was not solely determined by viewers and readers. A panel of former Ballon d’Or winners and the France Football jury also had a say in the matter. Both of these groups independently declared Alfredo Di Stéfano as the deserving winner of the award. This discrepancy in the results highlights the subjectivity and complexity of football awards, as different perspectives and criteria can influence the final verdict.
Ultimately, the Super Ballon d’Or of 1989 showcased the diversity of opinions within the football community, with viewers and readers favoring Michel Platini, while former Ballon d’Or winners and the France Football jury bestowed the honor upon the legendary Alfredo Di Stéfano. It serves as a reminder that football awards, even as prestigious as the Super Ballon d’Or, can be influenced by various factors, including national allegiances and personal biases.
Viewers and Readers votes:
| Rank | Player | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | Michel Platini | 54,12% |
| 2nd | Johan Cruyff | 25,31% |
| 3rd | Franz Beckenbauer | 10,60% |
| 4th | Alfredo Di Stéfano | 6,40% |
| 5th | Karl-Heinz Rummenigge | 1,42% |
| 6th | Kevin Keegan | 0,96% |
Super Ballon d’Or 1989: Europe-Centric Recognition
In 1989, the Super Ballon d’Or was awarded, marking a significant moment in the history of football accolades. However, one crucial aspect to note during that time was that only players who were actively plying their trade in European football were considered for the prestigious Ballon d’Or awards, including the Super Ballon d’Or. This criterion led to the exclusion of several football legends, such as Diego Maradona and Pelé, from contention for these coveted titles.
Diego Maradona, the Argentine maestro known for his unparalleled dribbling skills and the iconic ‘Hand of God’ goal during the 1986 World Cup, was at the peak of his powers in the late 1980s. He had showcased his brilliance while playing for Napoli in Italy’s Serie A, yet due to the exclusionary rule, he was not in contention for the Ballon d’Or.
Similarly, Pelé, often regarded as one of the greatest footballers of all time, had enjoyed a legendary career with Santos in Brazil and later with the New York Cosmos in the North American Soccer League. However, the Ballon d’Or eligibility requirements meant that Pelé was unable to compete for this prestigious recognition.
The European-centric nature of these awards during that period could be seen as a limitation, as it excluded some of the sport’s most iconic figures from consideration. Nonetheless, it also emphasized the dominance of European club football and its significance in the global football landscape during the late 20th century.
The Super Ballon d’Or of 1989, while celebrating the achievements of players who graced European football, also serves as a reminder of the evolving criteria and perspectives surrounding football accolades over the years. It highlights the diverse paths and challenges faced by footballers of different eras in their pursuit of recognition and greatness on the world stage.