The Ultimate Honor: Unpacking the Super Ballon d’Or

Introduction:

The Super Ballon d’Or is the most prestigious individual honor in football, awarded annually to the best player in the world. But what if we took it a step further? Imagine a Super Ballon d’Or, where only the crème de la crème of footballers are considered. In this blog, we’ll explore the concept of a Super Ballon d’Or, its potential criteria, and the top contenders.

What is the Super Ballon d’Or?

The Super Ballon d’Or would recognize the absolute best of the best, considering factors beyond just individual performance. This award would honor players who have:

1. Consistently dominated the sport over a prolonged period.

2. Led their teams to unprecedented success.

3. Demonstrated exceptional leadership, sportsmanship, and dedication.

4. Inspired a new generation of footballers.

Criteria:

To be eligible for the Super Ballon d’Or, players must meet the following criteria:

1. Minimum 5 Ballon d’Or wins or nominations.

2. At least 2 UEFA Champions League or FIFA World Cup titles.

3. Consistent performance over 10+ years.

4. Leadership roles in their national team or club.

Top Contenders:

Based on these criteria, here are the top contenders for the inaugural Super Ballond’Or:

Potential Super Ballon d’Or Favourites

It is unknown whether the Super Ballon d’Or trophy will ever be handed out again. However, there is a chance that it could be presented for the second time In 2029, as that would cover the four decades since 1989.

So, who will be in contention to win it? Two-time winner Ronaldo Nazario and three-time winner Marco van Basten will likely both be among the nominees and Real Madrid great Zinedine Zidane could even be in with an outside chance. But, realistically, it will be a two-horse race between two of the greatest players ever: Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.

Messi will be the favourite, having won the Ballon d’Or trophy eight times – more than any other player in history by some margin. Despite Messi’s record-breaking total, many believe Ronaldo is the better player and there will surely be many that think he deserves to be the second winner of the prestigious trophy. That being said, here’s a closer look at the front-runners for the potential prize in 2029.

Lionel Messi

Lionel Messi celebrates for Barcelona

The player to have scooped the most prestigious prize in the world of football more than anyone else has surely got to be the firm favourite should the Super Ballon d’Or be dished out for a second time in history. Messi not only scored some iconic goals and created some mesmeric assists for his teammates along the way, but the little magician also won all the major trophies available to him, including league titles in Spain and France and the World Cup in late 2022 with Argentina. This was the biggest trophy that had eluded Messi until the age of 35, but it cemented his legacy as the GOAT of the game.

The former Barcelona hero has broken many records throughout his long and storied career, with the most notable being his 91-goal haul in a single calendar year in 2012. His tally of eight Ballon d’Or awards is highly unlikely to be broken for generations, proving just how unfathomable this feat is. It would be truly astonishing to see any other player given the honor of going down in the history books alongside Di Stefano as the second man to win the Super Ballon d’Or.

Cristiano Ronaldo

Cristiano Ronaldo despite his long-term rival being the undoubted and overwhelming favorite to scoop the prize, Ronaldo cannot be brushed past and forgotten about completely. The Portuguese superstar is the top goal scorer of all time for both club and country, amassing more than 900 goals across his two-decade-long career. Having played at an elite level for Manchester United, Juventus and Real Madrid for the majority of his time in the game, Ronaldo has a trophy cabinet brimming at the seams. He has lifted the biggest team prize in European football – the Champions League – five times, which is a joint record with several other Real Madrid players.

He must kick himself at times that he had to play at the same time as Messi because Ronaldo’s collection of five Ballon d’Or awards is two more than any other player in history – other than his Argentine counterpart. While there is still time to go in both men’s careers, it is extremely unlikely that Ronaldo will be able to make up the difference to win the race to the Super Ballon d’Or.

Marco van Basten

We are now in the territory of players who might get the recognition they deserve from modern-day fans. Being spoiled with the greatness of Ronaldo and Messi, it is easy to overlook the fact that Van Basten won three Ballond'Or. The Dutch talisman was sensational for AC Milan and Ajax as he thundered in more than 100 goals for both teams. All of this was achieved before the age of 31, as the icon was forced into early retirement due to injury. Had that not been the case, could Van Basten have added to his – at the time – joint record of three Ballon d'Or awards?

Granted, his first time winning the award was in 1988, one year before the only Super Ballon d’Or to date was handed out to Di Stefano, but two of his successes would count towards the 30 years being looked at here. It is almost impossible that the man who helped the Netherlands to their only ever international trophy (Euro 1988) would be selected above Ronaldo and Messi, but he has as strong a case as anyone else to be in the conversation at least.

Ronaldo (R9)

Ronaldo-Brazil

The only other man to have scooped the Ballon d’Or more than once since 1989. Ronaldo – affectionately known as R9 – is one of the most technically gifted strikers to have ever graced the hallowed turf. There was every chance that the Brazilian legend could have retired with three Ballons d’Or to his name, but he was narrowly beaten to the honor in 1998 by a man we will discuss shortly. This was due to Brazil’s failure to win the World Cup that year, but the most successful international side of all time put that right in 2002, with Ronaldo being at the very centre of the action.

In one of the best World Cup finals of all time, Ronaldo scored a brace to see his country beat Germany 2-0 and this helped him to a second Ballon d’Or. Fitness issues plagued large parts of his iconic career, but Ronaldo’s spell at Barcelona was good enough to see him plunged forward into the debate of best forwards in history. In terms of natural ability, there’s an argument to be had that the former Inter Milan ace could be in with a shout of being at the top of the list.

Zinedine Zidane

He may only have one Ballon d’Or to his name – after beating R9 to the accolade in 1998 – but Zidane is often looked upon as the greatest central midfielder in the time frame we are looking at. For both Juventus and Real Madrid, the Frenchman was adept at creating chances, providing assists, and scoring goals from the engine room. Despite being an intimidating presence in the middle of the park, Zidane moved across the pitch with an elegance and grace that even the silkiest wingers in the world cannot boast.

A World Cup success in 1998 was the biggest accomplishment of his career, but Zidane also lifted league trophies for Juventus and Real Madrid and, of course, who could forget that beautiful volley to secure a Champions League trophy for Los Blancos at Hampden Park in 2002? He is some way behind in the battle to win the Super Ballon d’Or but not only because he has won fewer Ballons d’Or than Messi, Ronaldo, Van Basten and R9, but also because it is hard to imagine a man who retired in shame after headbutting Marco Materazzi in his last ever appearance in the 2006 World Cup final.

Past Winners:

Alfredo Di Stefano

Ranking

1.Alfredo Di Stefano

2.Johan Cruyff

3.Michelle Platini

It was the latter who picked up the trophy, emerging victorious in a vote involving fans, a France Football jury and former winners of the Ballon d’Or. Di Stefano, who passed away in 2014, established himself as a legend at Real Madrid, scoring 308 goals in 396 official matches and helping them to 18 trophies in 11 years from 1953-1964. Having represented both Spain and Argentina at the international level, Di Stefano is Los Blancos’ fourth top goal scorer of all-time after being overtaken by Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema, and Raul in the 21 st century.

Conclusion:

The Super Ballon d’Or would be the ultimate recognition of excellence in football, celebrating players who have transcended the sport. While subjective, this award would spark fascinating debates and discussions among fans, experts, and players alike.

Additional Resources:

• France Football’s Ballon d’Or
• UEFA Champions League
• FIFA World Cup
• Football history and legends