The Ballon d’Or is the most coveted individual trophy in football. Every year it crowns the best in the world, blending talent, charisma, and achievements.
In 2025, it was Ousmane Dembélé who won it, leading Paris Saint-Germain with 53 matches, 35 goals, and 16 assists in the season culminating with the Champions League victory.
If this year’s choice seems to have convinced everyone, there have been editions in the award’s history that have divided the football world.
1996 – Sammer tricks Ronaldo
Germany triumphs at the European Championship and the Ballon d’Or goes to Matthias Sammer. But Ronaldo “The Phenomenon” is already explosive and many see him as the true dominator of the year.
The victory by just one point difference leaves discussions open for months, with the added regret of a great Alex Del Piero.
2001 – Owen against Totti and Kahn
Michael Owen lifts the Ballon d’Or thanks to successes in the UEFA Cup, European Super Cup, and English national cups.
But he doesn’t win either the Premier League or the Champions League. Oliver Kahn, hero of the final against Valencia, and Francesco Totti, protagonist with Italy at the European Championship, are overshadowed.
2003 – Nedved and the “injustice” to Maldini
Pavel Nedved wins the award surpassing Thierry Henry and leaving Paolo Maldini only in third place.
The captain of Milan, European champion, Coppa Italia, and Super Cup winner, seemed to have everything to win, but the jury chose the Czech from Juventus.
2005 – Ronaldinho and Gerrard’s shadow
Ronaldinho plays a magical season and conquers the world with his class.
However, the incredible comeback in Istanbul led by Steven Gerrard with Liverpool makes many think that the Reds’ captain deserved at least to finish higher than third place.
2010 – Messi ahead of Sneijder
Inter wins the Treble with Wesley Sneijder at the center of the game and Diego Milito as the driving force. Yet the Ballon d’Or goes again to Lionel Messi.
A decision that infuriated Inter fans and Massimo Moratti himself, convinced that the Dutchman deserved more.
2013 – Ronaldo ahead of Ribery
Bayern Munich dominates everything with Franck Ribery as the absolute protagonist, but the Ballon d’Or goes to Cristiano Ronaldo.
A choice that leaves the French forward bitter and convinced he missed the chance of a lifetime.
2014 – Ronaldo against Neuer
Cristiano Ronaldo repeats the following year thanks to Real Madrid’s “La Décima.” Yet a few months later, Germany wins the World Cup with a stunning 7-1 against Brazil and Manuel Neuer plays an extraordinary tournament.
The idea that a goalkeeper can never truly win this award resurfaces as a common sentiment.
2021 – Messi ahead of Lewandowski
Ten years later, new controversies. Messi lifts his seventh Ballon d’Or but Robert Lewandowski, coming off an extraordinary year with a record number of goals in the Bundesliga, is left empty-handed.
Many believe that the “Flea” also benefited from the missed 2020 edition, which would have gone to the Pole.
2025 – Dembélé beats Yamal
This year, it was Ousmane Dembélé who triumphed, leading PSG to secure the Treble.
A triumph for the Frenchman – never in the top 30 before winning this edition – that is causing debate: many believe Lamine Yamal deserved the title of the best in the world.
The Barcelona gem has to ‘settle’ – so to speak – for the Kopa Trophy, awarded to the best young player, won for the second year in a row.
This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇮🇹 here.
📸 FRANCK FIFE – AFP or licensors
