A player like Diego Armando Maradona, which is considered one of the best in history, should have several Ballon d’Ors in its showcases, but it doesn’t. By 1986 at the latest, in the year of his great participation in the World Cup in Mexico, “Pelusa” should have won the award for the best footballer in the world. But surprisingly, it was captured by the Soviets Igor Belanov, who played for Dinamo Kyiv that year. It seems that the French football journalists of the time had something against the Argentine, although this was not the case as the awards ceremony was conducted in a different way in those years.
Until 1995, the Ballon d’or, as it is called in French, was only awarded to European players playing in one of the Old Continent leagues. However, there were two exceptions to the rule: Alfredo Di Stefano and Omar Sivor. Both were born in Barracas and San Nicolás de Los Arroyos, Argentina; However, they achieved the highest individual recognition for their Spanish or Italian nationality.
After the rule change that year, and as a tribute to Maradona for his achievement in European football, the magazine decided to give him an honorary Ballon d’Or, an award which Diego was happy to accept, as can be seen in the photos at hand.
Maradona and his Ballon d’Or honor. Photo: Maradona/Facebook
Although Ronaldo became the first South American to win the award for best that year in 1997, and from there Rivaldo, Ronaldinho and Kaká had them; only since 2007 has the award been opened to every footballer in every league in the world. Although to date it has not been delivered to anyone operating outside of Europe.
Historic Ballon d’Or
As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, France Football did not hold a regular Ballon d’Or awards ceremony. but he put his ‘Dream Team’ together and awarded a golden ball to all members of the ideal team. Maradona was once again hailed for being part of the dream team, a recognition also received by Messi, Cristiano and Pele.
- ideal team: Lev Yashin; Café, Franz Beckenbauer, Paolo Maldini; Xavi, Lothar Matthews, Diego Maradona, Pelé; Lionel Messi, Ronaldo Nazario and Cristiano Ronaldo.