Ballon d’Or: 6 Youngest Winners in the History of Football's Biggest Individual Prize

The Ballon d'Or holds the distinction of being the oldest and most iconic award ever presented to an individual football player in Europe.

It was inaugurated in 1956 by Gabriel Hanot, a retired French footballer and renowned columnist, while the first-ever Ballon d'Or winner was Stanley Matthews, an English football legend who graced the ranks of Blackpool Football Club.

Subsequently, Alfredo Di Stéfano, a prominent figure in the history of Real Madrid, emerged as a leading luminary in the world of football.

However, it is the Argentinian football phenomenon, Lionel Messi, who holds the record for the most Ballon d'Or awards, closely followed by Cristiano Ronaldo, the celebrated Portuguese football maestro.

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Apart from these illustrious names, there have been remarkable instances of Ballon d'Or winners achieving this distinction at a young age.

Sports Brief looks at six footballers whose names will forever be recorded in the annals of the Guinness Book of Records for winning the Ballon d'Or before reaching the age of 30.

Cristiano Ronaldo (2008: 23 years, 9 months, 28 days)

Ronaldo's remarkable journey to success is epitomised by his impressive achievements, which encompass five Ballon d'Or awards, four European Golden Shoes, three Pichichi trophies, and six Champions League top scorer titles.

The Portuguese star's illustrious accomplishments are intricately linked with the renowned football clubs he has represented, including Sporting CP, Manchester United, Real Madrid, and Juventus.

According to Goal, Ronaldo's ascent to the summit of football began with his first Ballon d'Or triumph in 2008 during his tenure at Manchester United. In the same year, he was also recognised as Manchester United's Player of the Season.

He also played a pivotal role in the club's consecutive English Premier League triumphs from 2007 to 2009.

Oleg Blokhin (1975: 23 years, 1 month, 25 days)

Oleg Blokhin's journey to a successful football career commenced at a young age. He clinched his inaugural Soviet League Championship accolade as a member of Dynamo Kyiv's youth league.

His reputation as one of the most astute goal-scorers of the Soviet era was solidified as he contributed to the Urakian side's four consecutive championship victories from 1972 to 1975.

In 1975, at the tender age of 23 years and 57 days, Blokhin led Dynamo Kyiv to a European Cup victory.

This extraordinary feat earned him the distinction of being named the Best European Footballer of the Year, marking his first-ever Ballon d'Or award. In total, Blokhin participated in 582 matches and netted an impressive 266 goals.

George Best (1968: 22 years, 7 months, 2 days)

The rich history of Man United would be sorely incomplete without paying homage to the legendary George Best. Hailing from Ireland, he was a prodigious talent in the Premier League, renowned for his unparalleled prowess in scoring acrobatic goals and his mesmerising dribbling skills.

His association with the Red Devils commenced when he was just 15 years old and a mere two years later, he was gracing the ranks of the first-division league.

Best masterminded the club's conquest of a Premier League title before he even reached the age of 20. It was through his exceptional contributions that the club achieved a historic triumph in the 1968 European Cup, marking Manchester United as the first English club to accomplish such a remarkable feat.

Over the course of his career, the Irishman participated in 466 matches and recorded an impressive tally of 178 goals. In 1968, at the age of 22 years and 215 days, he was bestowed with the prestigious Ballon d'Or award.

Lionel Messi (2009: 22 years, 5 months, 7 days)

Lionel Messi is a football maestro, boasting an astounding seven Ballon d'Or victories to stand as one of the most supremely talented players ever to don the jerseys of Barcelona, PSG, and the Argentina national team.

In 2009, at the tender age of 22 years and 160 days, he secured his first Ballon d'Or, marking the commencement of a remarkable career adorned with numerous prestigious accolades, per The Guardian.

Messi's trophy cabinet gleams with accolades like The Best FIFA Men’s Player award, FIFA FIFPro World XI honours, Pichichi Trophies, and European Golden Shoes.

As a prolific goal-scorer and recipient of multiple footballing honours, the Argentine has graced the pitch in 1,109 matches, amassing an astonishing total of 804 goals.

Michael Owen (2001: 22 years, 4 days)

Owen is a striker of remarkable talent, revered for his exceptional finishing skills. His hallmark includes incredible composure in front of goal and impressive speed when manoeuvering with the ball.

In 2001, at the age of 22 years and four days, he clinched his first Ballon d'Or, becoming the first English player in two decades to win this prestigious accolade.

During the 2000/2001 season, Owen showcased his goal-scoring prowess, netting an impressive 24 goals while donning the Liverpool jersey. He also etched his name in the club's history by scoring the decisive goal in the Reds' 3-2 triumph over Bayern Munich, securing the UEFA Super Cup.

Ronaldo Nazario (1997: 21 years, 3 months, 5 days)

Ronaldo Nazario is the youngest player ever to claim the coveted Ballon d'Or, achieving this prestigious honour at 21 years and 96 days of age.

Regarded as one of the most technically-gifted strikers football has ever seen, his reputation was further bolstered by his remarkable achievement of scoring 47 goals in 49 matches during his tenure at Barcelona.

His illustrious career is adorned with a plethora of other remarkable awards, including the Cup Winners Award, the Spanish Super Cup, and the Copa Del Rey.

The Brazilian's prowess also shines through in his multiple Serie A top-scorer titles, not to mention his accolades such as the Male Soccer Player ESPY Award and the FIFA World Cup Golden Ball.

Ballon d’Or: Messi to beat Haaland?

Sports Brief previously reported on why Messi holds the Ballon d’Or advantage over Erling Haaland despite the Manchester City star's record-breaking season on a team and personal level.

It was posited the Argentine starred in a host of other major football games aside from the World Cup, compared to the Norwegian’s lesser showings in big games like the UEFA Champions League.