1975 Blokhin won it by winning league and minor cup, European Cup was won by all european Bayern Munich. No stars in Copa America.
1976 Beckenbauer won it by winning European cup and being 2. in Euros.
1977 Simonsen won it by winning league, European cup was won by all european Liverpool.

I really wish there was a "Gant d'Or" for the goalkeepers, too. They are at least as important as the outfield players, but usually never get ackowledged. Sepp Maier was immense in his time, too, but always it was Beckenbauer (or Müller) who reaped the awards.

1971 Cruyff won it by winning European Cup.
1972 Beckenbauer won it by winning Euro's and league.
1973 Cruyff won it by winning European Cup, League and one minor tournament.



1967 Albert won it by winning league and scoring 28 goals in 27 games. Pele would have probably been second by winning state championship and scoring 26 goals in 32 matches. There was no stars in 67 Copa America.
1968 Best won it by winning European Cup.
1969 Rivera won it by winning European Cup and one minor tournament.

1963 This is interesting year, it's the only time goalie has won the Ballon d'Or. Lev Yashin won the league, but he most likely won this award with one performance which shaked the world. The FA Centenary match England - Rest of the World. Made several unbelievable saves and got nickname, the black spider. Pele however did have an unbelievable year, won Copa Libertadores, and 3 minor cups, Roca Cup with Brazil and scored 51 goals in 36 games. The fact that Garrincha would have won -62, I think Pele would have edged Yashin here.
1964 Law scored 46 goals in 41 matches in English first division, although Pele scored 44 in 31 matches and won state and two minor cups, most of his goals were in inferior state championship. I think Law would have edged Pele here.
1965 Eusebio won league and minor tournament, was second in European Cup being also top scorer, scored 37 goals in 29 matches, 9 in EC. Pele won state and 3 minor tournaments, was third on Copa Libertadores being also top scorer, scored 64 goals in 48 matches, 8 in Liberadores, and most of them in state championship. This is extremely hard call, but IMO would give edge here Pele because I got him second last year. He probably would have won 2/3 in this time perioid.

1959 Di Stefano won it by winning European Cup. Pele won minor tournament and almost all his 53/43 goals were in state champs.
1960 Suarez won it by winning League and one minor tournament.
1961 Sivori won it by winning league and scoring 28 goals in 29 matches. Pele scored 62 goals in 38 matches but most of those were in state champs. Would give edge sivori here.

1956 Stanley Matthews, legend in its time, won the award being 41 years old. Although won nothing in the season, probably nothing would have stopped him winning the inaugural award.
1957 Di Stefano won the award winning European Cup, league and one minor tournament, scored 43 goals in 43 matches.

The results, and updated all information in the first post.



Evaluation was made by choosing winner, and comparing a non European player to it. Years 91-11 were simplified and calculated from results in the current Fifa Ballon d'Or format. This is obviously no definitive solution, but merely an opinion with some degree of logical thinking.

Why not Zico in 1981?

messixaviesta wrote:Why not Zico in 1981?

Because he doesnt have detailed knowledge of this era. In south america the continents player of the year was published in two magazines: "el mundo" and "el graffico", both had a panel of experts from various american countries to vote a winner. In 1979 and 1980 maradona was picked as the best player of the continent with zico 2nd, in 81 el graffico picked maradona and el mundo picked zico. Both were phenomenal in these years, both all time greats, neither make jiopsie's "suggestions"

From a european perspective after the youth world cup maradona won in 79 and after a european tours he did with argentina many european medias not only started calling him the best player in the world but the best since pele, not based on how good he could be, but on how good he was at the time, ie when he was 18/19/20

In 2001 Raul was robbed.

Diego Armando Maradona wrote:
Because he doesnt have detailed knowledge of this era. In south america the continents player of the year was published in two magazines: "el mundo" and "el graffico", both had a panel of experts from various american countries to vote a winner. In 1979 and 1980 maradona was picked as the best player of the continent with zico 2nd, in 81 el graffico picked maradona and el mundo picked zico. Both were phenomenal in these years, both all time greats, neither make jiopsie's "suggestions"

From a european perspective after the youth world cup maradona won in 79 and after a european tours he did with argentina many european medias not only started calling him the best player in the world but the best since pele, not based on how good he could be, but on how good he was at the time, ie when he was 18/19/20

I couldn't find the exact links for the awards you have mentioned but I found something that seems connected and suggestive.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_American_Footballer_of_the_Year

if i remembered correctly, sheva won once i thought?

2010, sneijder

messixaviesta wrote:Why not Zico in 1981?

Now that someone mentioned it, definitely.

- Copa Libertadores, being the best player and top scorer.
- State Championship
- Intercontinental Cup, being MoM
- South American player of the year
- 53 goals for club+nt

I will change it when I have better time, also other suggestions are welcomed.

Xavi deserved it the most in 2010.

I flipped when Owen won it.

Raul, Henry, Totti how could they have not won it.

jiopsi wrote:

messixaviesta wrote:Why not Zico in 1981?

Now that someone mentioned it, definitely.

- Copa Libertadores, being the best player and top scorer.
- State Championship
- Intercontinental Cup, being MoM
- South American player of the year
- 53 goals for club+nt

I will change it when I have better time, also other suggestions are welcomed.

ok