Winning the Ballon d'Or is the highest individual honor a footballer can receive. Yet history has revealed a fascinating trend that continues to fuel debate among fans and analysts alike.

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Over the years, several of the world's greatest players have lifted the prestigious award in the lead-up to a FIFA World Cup. 

Despite entering the tournament among the favorites, none of them managed to win the world title in the following edition. Is it simply a coincidence, or is there really a "Ballon d'Or curse" in football?

Since the award was established in 1956, the pattern has repeated itself time and again. Alfredo Di Stéfano didn't even qualify for the 1958 World Cup with Spain, while legends such as Johan Cruyff, Roberto Baggio, Ronaldo, Michel Platini, and Cristiano Ronaldo all fell short of lifting the game's biggest prize, either losing in the final or being eliminated before reaching it.

Although several Ballon d'Or winners made it to the final or finished on the podium, the World Cup trophy always ended up in someone else's hands, reinforcing one of the most intriguing statistical trends in international football.

Lionel Messi Broke the Curse... Or Did He?

The biggest twist came at Qatar 2022. Lionel Messi, winner of the 2021 Ballon d'Or, led Argentina to World Cup glory and, for many, finally ended a streak that had lasted for more than six decades.

However, one key detail keeps the debate alive. Because the 2022 World Cup was played unusually in November and December, the reigning Ballon d'Or holder during the tournament was actually Karim Benzema, who had won the award just a few weeks earlier. 

The French striker was ruled out through injury before playing a single match, while France went on to finish as runners-up.

For that reason, some argue that the so-called "Ballon d'Or curse" is still intact if the benchmark is the player who officially held the trophy during the World Cup itself. 

Superstition aside, the statistic highlights just how difficult it is to turn individual excellence into collective success, as winning a World Cup ultimately depends on the performance of an entire national team rather than the brilliance of its biggest star alone.

Ballon d'Or Winners and Their Results at the Following World Cup

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