The football world is buzzing with excitement. Ousmane Dembélé has just been crowned the winner of the 2025 Ballon d’Or. The Paris ceremony ended with cheers, emotions, and a new chapter in football history. While fans celebrate Dembélé’s incredible journey to the golden ball, it’s the perfect time to look beyond the headlines and discover the untold stories behind this legendary award.
Here are 7 fascinating facts about the Ballon d’Or that will surprise you, including the history, controversies, and hidden gems that make this trophy more than just football’s most prestigious honor.
The Award Was Once Only for Europeans
When the Ballon d’Or was created in 1956 by France Football, it was limited strictly to European players. This meant that even icons like Pelé and Diego Maradona, arguably two of the greatest footballers in history, never officially won the award during their playing careers. Recognizing this injustice, France Football later honored both with special awards. As Pelé once remarked, “I never played for trophies; I played to make people smile. But the Ballon d’Or is the kind of honor every player dreams of.”
Goalkeepers Are Almost Invisible, Except Once
Forwards and playmakers have always dominated the Ballon d’Or, but in 1963 something extraordinary happened. Lev Yashin, known as the “Black Spider,” became the first and only goalkeeper ever to win the award. His unmatched reflexes, leadership, and consistency proved that even those who defend rather than score can be immortalized. To this day, Yashin’s victory stands as one of the most unique facts in Ballon d’Or history.
Africa’s Golden Moment Came in 1995
For decades, the Ballon d’Or had been a European affair. But in 1995, George Weah, a Liberian striker, broke history by becoming the first and still the only African player to lift the golden ball. His victory wasn’t just personal, it became a symbol of pride for an entire continent. As Weah humbly said, “This is not only for me. This is for Africa.” His triumph redefined the boundaries of football’s greatest honor.
Messi and Ronaldo’s Era of Dominance
The Ballon d’Or is inseparable from the rivalry between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. Between 2008 and 2021, these two legends won the award 12 times combined (Messi 8, Ronaldo 5). Their duopoly defined modern football, sparking endless debates about who is the greatest. Messi once said, “Without Cristiano, my career would not be the same,” while Ronaldo admitted, “I pushed myself harder because of Messi.” The Ballon d’Or, during this era, became not just a trophy but a symbol of the greatest rivalry in sporting history.
Controversies Are Part of Its DNA
No award in football sparks as much debate as the Ballon d’Or. Fans still argue whether Wesley Sneijder deserved it in 2010 after leading Inter Milan to a treble. In 2020, Robert Lewandowski was widely considered the favorite, but the award was canceled due to the pandemic, leaving fans furious. Even Luka Modrić’s 2018 win divided opinion. As Cristiano Ronaldo once confessed, “The night before, you don’t sleep. It’s not just a prize, it’s your whole season judged in one night.”
Voting Power Lies With Journalists
Unlike many awards decided by coaches or players, the Ballon d’Or is chosen by journalists from across the world. Each selects their top five players, and points are tallied to determine the winner. This global voting system makes the award unique. It reflects not just performance on the pitch but also perception, narrative, and influence. Sometimes, it is as much about storytelling as statistics.
It’s More Than a Trophy, It’s Immortality
For players, winning the Ballon d’Or means becoming part of history forever. Trophies may rust, matches may fade, but a Ballon d’Or ensures a name is etched into eternity. From Yashin to Weah, from Messi to Ronaldo, and now Dembélé, each golden ball represents more than a season, it represents legacy. As Pelé beautifully put it, “The Ballon d’Or is proof that football is more than a game, it is history being written.”
With Dembélé lifting the golden ball this year, another story has been added to the legend of the Ballon d’Or. But as history shows us, the award is never just about the winner, it’s about the journey, the surprises, and the timeless facts that make football the world’s most beautiful game.