The Ballon d'Or has honored some of soccer's greatest players since 1956, but no one has ever won the men's award at a younger age than Ronaldo Nazário. The Brazilian claimed his first trophy in 1997 at 21 years and 96 days old, a record that still stands. France Football, which created the award, also recognizes Ronaldo as the youngest winner in its history.
Who Was the Youngest Ballon d'Or Winner?
Ronaldo Nazário made history in 1997 by winning the Ballon d'Or at just 21 years and 96 days old. Nearly three decades later, no player has managed to break the Brazilian striker's record.
Ronaldo's extraordinary 1997
Ronaldo was born on September 18, 1976, and entered the 1997 Ballon d'Or race after a spectacular season with Barcelona. In his only campaign at the Catalan club, he scored 47 goals in 49 appearances and helped Bobby Robson's team win three trophies. His speed, power and finishing had already made him one of the biggest stars in world soccer before his 21st birthday.
During the summer of 1997, he left Barcelona to join Inter Milan. Months later, he won the Ballon d'Or, also becoming the first Brazilian to receive the award. He was exactly 21 years and 96 days old, according to Guinness World Records. France Football itself continues to identify Ronaldo as the youngest player ever to win the trophy.
Which other players won it at a young age?
One of the players who came closest to Ronaldo's record was Michael Owen. The Liverpool striker won the 2001 Ballon d'Or only days after turning 22. His year included FA Cup, League Cup and UEFA Cup success with Liverpool, as well as major performances for England.
Lionel Messi also won his first Ballon d'Or at 22, in 2009. The Argentine was coming off a historic campaign with Barcelona, which won LaLiga, the Copa del Rey and the UEFA Champions League. UEFA confirmed at the time that Messi was 22 when he collected the award.
Cristiano Ronaldo, meanwhile, won the first of his five Ballon d'Or trophies in 2008 at age 23 after helping Manchester United win both the Premier League and Champions League.
A record that still stands
Ronaldo won the Ballon d'Or again in 2002, this time as a Real Madrid player, and finished his career with two awards. However, the age record he established in 1997 has never been broken.
The official list of winners currently runs through Ousmane Dembélé, who claimed the 2025 award. The 2026 ceremony will take place in London on October 26, but until then Ronaldo remains, nearly three decades after his first triumph, the youngest winner in the history of the men's Ballon d'Or.
