The greatest player in the history of Football, Pelé never received the best in the world award given by the Ballon d’Or as a player. However, France Football magazine decided to make a historical reparation in the world of football more than 50 years later.
During the period in which the King of Football paraded all his genius on the fields of Brazil and the world, only European players competed for the Ballon d’Or. In other words, France Football “ignored” players from other continents between 1956 and 1995. Pelé said goodbye to the pitch in October 1977.
Because of this, historic names in football did not have the opportunity to compete for the award, such as Maradona, Garrincha and Zico.
Ballon d’Or “recognizes” Pelé
In 2015, the traditional French magazine took advantage of its 60th anniversary edition to review the entire list of champions and, with the current rules, began to recognize former athletes as champions as well.
As a result, Pelé, who left us in 2022 at the age of 82, was recognized as the winner on seven occasions: 1958, 1959, 1960, 1961, 1963, 1964 and 1970.
In addition to Pele, the France Footballl also recognized that Garrincha, in 1962, and Romário, in 1994, would have won the award. Argentines Diego Maradona and Mario Kempes were also recognized.
Despite the recognition, Pelé would not be the biggest winner if he were on the official list. Currently, Argentine Lionel Messi reigns at the top with 8 achievements.
The 2024 Ballon d’Or award will be presented to the best player in the world will take place next Monday (28). The 68th edition of the event will be held at the Théâtre du Châtelet, in Paris, France.
Biggest Ballon d’Or winners
- 1st – Lionel Messi (Argentina): 8x (2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2019, 2021 and 2023)
- 2nd – Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal): 5x (2008, 2013, 2014, 2016 and 2017)
- 3rd – Johan Cruyff (Netherlands): 3x (1971, 1973 and 1974)
- 3rd – Michel Platini (France): 3x (1983, 1984 and 1985)
- 3rd – Marco Van Basten (Netherlands): 3x (1988, 1989 and 1992)
- 4th – Ronaldo Fenômeno – 2x (1997 and 2002)
- 4th – Franz Beckenbauer (Germany): 2x (1972 and 1976)
- 4th – Alfredo Di Stefano (Argentina): 2x (1957 and 1959)
- 4th – Karl-Heinz Rummenigge (Germany): 2x (1980 and 1981)
- 4th – Kevin Keegan (England): 2x (1978 and 1979)
Related News :