Each Ballon d’Or winner from England

England often is the birthplace of soccer as we all know it however that’s no assure of success with regards to the sport’s most prestigious particular person prize.

The Ballon d’Or was conjured up in 1956 and has been gained by a number of various superstars all through the years. From Liberia to Bulgaria to Northern Eire, the fabled golden ball has traversed the globe.

Whereas England are removed from probably the most embellished nation in Ballon d’Or historical past, there have been a number of previous victors from previous blighty – even when it has been fairly a while since an Englishman has obtained his fingers on the title.

You possibly can rely on one hand the quantity of various Ballon d’Or victors who hail from England however the Three Lions do lay declare to the primary ever winner. That was Blackpool’s (sure, Blackpool’s) Stanley Matthews, who gained the award in its inaugural 12 months in 1956 after edging out Actual Madrid legend Alfredo Di Stefano.

It took precisely a decade earlier than English fingers would grace the award once more however it was probably the most patriotic of victories. Manchester United hero Bobby Charlton pipped Eusebio to the publish after serving to England win their first and solely World Cup trophy.

The late Seventies noticed Kevin Keegan turn into the primary Englishman to win the award a number of occasions with back-to-back triumphs. Nonetheless, it was in Germany the place the previous Liverpool participant thrived after some stellar performances within the Bundesliga and European Cup with Hamburg. After squeezing previous Hans Krankl in 1978, Keegan gained at a canter the next 12 months.

It took over 20 years for England to assert their fifth and most up-to-date Ballon d’Or title, with up-and-coming wonderkid Michael Owen dazzling in victory in 2001. Having emerged as a formidable pressure for Liverpool en path to a treble on the flip of the century, it was Owen’s late and decisive brace within the FA Cup closing towards Arsenal that was his standout achievement that 12 months.

English winners of the Ballon d’Or

There have been some almighty shut calls in previous Ballon d’Or votes, with English gamers ending on the rostrum semi-regularly. Even previous winners Charlton and Keegan each needed to accept second place, the previous doing so twice in 1967 and 1968.

England‘s 1966 World Cup-winning captain Bobby Moore was additionally a runner-up 4 years after lifting soccer’s most coveted prize with the Three Lions. He completed behind sharpshooting German ahead Gerd Muller, who himself got here second two years later.

The 12 months after the primary ever Ballon d’Or, England really had two gamers grace the highest three. They had been Wolverhampton Wanderers’ Billy Wright and Manchester United’s Duncan Edwards, with neither in a position to usurp Di Stefano. Edwards tied with France legend Raymond Kopa in third.

2005 is the one different 12 months that has seen two Englishman within the prime three, with worldwide teammates and elite box-to-box midfielders Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard dropping out to the South American aptitude of Ronaldinho. Neither got here near toppling the Barcelona man however Lampard pipped Gerrard to second by simply six factors.

Considered one of England’s first famous person footballers, David Beckham, could have been cursing his luck in 1999. The correct-sided midfielder helped Man Utd to the treble, together with a monumental Champions League closing comeback, however nonetheless could not greatest Barcelona’s Rivaldo in prime spot. England’s probabilities of successful the Ballon d’Or have actually been harmed by the choice to incorporate non-European gamers from 1995 onwards.

English gamers within the prime three of the Ballon d’Or vote with out successful

In whole, England have six nominees for the 2024 Ballon d’Or. Solely European champions Spain can match that spectacular whole.

England harbour real hopes of manufacturing the 2024 Ballon d’Or winner with Jude Bellingham among the many favourites for the award. After a sensational debut season with Actual Madrid that concluded with Champions League glory, few might argue towards the previous Birmingham Metropolis midfielder claiming the accolade.

However Bellingham isn’t the one Englishman within the combine. Arsenal duo Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka are extraordinarily unlikely to be victorious however their presence within the 30-man shortlist is encouraging. Cole Palmer loved a sensational marketing campaign with Chelsea and even scored within the Euro 2024 closing with England, incomes him a nomination for 2024’s prize.

Other than Bellingham, it is Harry Kane and Phil Foden who boast the very best likelihood of securing victory. Neither are prone to be topped the winner however each loved spectacular campaigns, Foden specifically after being named Premier League Participant of the Season for 2023/24 en path to the title. Kane’s trophy curse continued however his objectives actually did not dry up following a transfer to Bayern Munich.

Ademola Lookman was born and raised in England and is a shock nominee after his Europa League closing hat-trick gained the title for Atalanta. Nonetheless, he performs his soccer for Nigeria at worldwide stage regardless of representing the Three Lions’ youth sides.

English nominees for Ballon d’Or 2024

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