Lionel Messi did it once more. The Argentine has received every part soccer has to supply, and on October 31, 2023, he created yet one more file of being the primary participant to win eight Ballon d’Or. Messi was awarded after having a improbable 12 months the place he lastly received the FIFA World Cup with Argentina and Ligue 1 and Trophies de Champions with Paris Saint Germain. Nonetheless, it was the World Cup trophy that tilted the favour of the award in his outcome over Erling Haaland, who received the treble with Manchester Metropolis.
With this win, Messi grew to become solely the seventh participant in historical past to win the Ballon d’Or as a World Cup winner. This reveals that even profitable probably the most prestigious trophy in soccer is, more often than not, extra is required to be topped as the perfect participant of the Yr. That is additionally the final Ballon d’Or he’ll win as a result of he now performs within the Main League Soccer (MLS).
Nonetheless, earlier than Messi, others additionally received the coveted Ballon d’Or the identical 12 months they received the FIFA World Cup.
Bobby Charlton- 1966 England, Manchester United
Among the finest gamers that England ever produced, Bobby Charlton, was the star of England’s solely World Cup win in 1966. The participant who performed as an attacking midfielder, central midfielder, and left winger scored three objectives whereas working from the center of the park.
His most interesting second got here within the semi-finals, the place he scored two objectives in opposition to Portugal to assist England win the sport 2-1. Charlton additionally made the All-Stars Staff on the finish of the match. Two years later, he would even be a part of the group that may win the European Championship. In the identical 12 months, he was additionally awarded the PWA Participant of the Yr and was voted the perfect participant on the World Cup.
With Manchester United, he received a complete of seven trophies, together with three league titles.
Paolo Rossi- 1982 Italy, Juventus
Among the finest tales of redemption that soccer has to supply is unquestionably that of Paolo Rossi. In 1980, Italian Soccer was rocked by one of many greatest scandals in its historical past. Named the Totonero, the scandal revolved round gamers taking cash to underperform to have an effect on the results of a recreation and assist bookies win by way of unlawful playing.
A number of gamers, together with Rossi (who was harmless), had been handed multiple-year suspensions. Nonetheless, the star striker’s suspension was revoked simply in time for the 1982 FIFA World Cup, the place few gave the Italians any probability of profitable.
These fears had been additional compounded when Italy drew its first three video games and solely certified as a result of that they had scored yet one more aim than Cameroon. Rossi was scoreless until then however received into type with a hattrick in opposition to Brazil,
He adopted this up with a brace in opposition to Poland within the semi-final and one aim within the closing in opposition to West Germany, serving to Italy raise their third title. Later that 12 months, he was awarded the Ballon d’Or World Cup Golden Boot, World Cup Golden Ball.
Lothar Matthaus- 1990, Germany, Inter Milan
Maybe the best midfielder ever produced by Germany, Lothar Matthaus performed throughout 5 World Cups for Germany between 1982 and 1998. The midfield common was a part of the German group that performed three back-to-back World Cup finals from 1982-1990. Whereas they misplaced in 1982 (to Italy) and 1982 (to Argentina), they got here with one of many strongest squads for the 1990 version.
On the base of it was the midfield trio of Matthaus, Pierre Littbarski, and Thomas Häßler, top-of-the-line in soccer historical past. Matthaus was the captain and led from the entrance, scoring 4 objectives, together with a brace in opposition to Yugoslavia.
Germany was additionally one of many few groups who most popular an attacking type of play, and Matthaus was their artistic outlet for a similar. Matthaus additionally received the IFFHS World’s Greatest Participant, World Soccer Awards Participant of the Yr, and FIFA World Cup Silver Ball whereas additionally being named within the All-Star Staff.
Zinedine Zidane- 1998, France, Juventus
The 1998 World Cup was touted as France’s greatest probability ever to win the World Cup, and with good motive. The facet boasted the likes of Theirry Henry, David Trezeguet, Lilian Thuram, Didier Deschamps, and Laurent Blanc of their ranks. Their star, although, was Zinedine Zidane.
Regardless of this, the attacking midfielder was having a median match by his excessive requirements. Zidane failed to attain even a single aim as France reached the ultimate, the place they needed to face defending champions Brazil.
Nonetheless, within the greatest match of France’s soccer historical past, Zidane got here into his personal, scoring two objectives. The Frenchman was in all places harassing the Brailain defence. It stays to at the present time top-of-the-line performances by a participant within the closing of the World Cup.
Zidane would win the Ballon d’Or for his efficiency for each France and Juventus whereas additionally being named the FIFA World Participant of the Yr, World Soccer Awards Participant of the Yr, and France Soccer French Participant of the Yr:
Ronaldo- 2002, Brazil, Actual Madrid
In 2002, Brazil arrived on the World Cup in South Korea and Japan with one of many strongest squads of their historical past. And on the frontline of this squad was the trio of Rivaldo, Ronaldo, and Ronaldinho. All three had totally different tasks, with the onus of scoring objectives on the shoulders of Ronaldo.
And the Brazilian didn’t disappoint. Ronaldo began the World Cup with a excessive rating in each group-stage recreation. He then adopted this up with a strike in opposition to Belgium earlier than going goalless in opposition to England.
Ronaldo scored the one aim of the sport in opposition to Turkey within the semi-finals. Within the closing, although, he confronted his greatest rival, Germany’s primary, Oliver Kahn, who was having top-of-the-line World Cups ever by a goalkeeper.
Nonetheless, Ronaldo comfortably received the battle, scoring a brace to assist Brazil win their fifth World Cup title. He additionally received the FIFA World Cup Golden Shoe and the FIFA World Cup Silver Ball earlier than ending the Yr with a Ballon d’Or win.
Fabio Cannavaro- 2006, Italy, Actual Madrid
One of many most interesting gamers from Italy, Fabio Cannavaro, stays the final defender to win the Ballon d’Or. This got here within the spectacular 2006 World Cup win. The marketing campaign in 2006, very like their 1982 one, began with the Azzurri not being among the many favourites to win it. Nonetheless, in Gianluca Zambrotta, Fabio Cannavaro, Marco Materazzi, and Fabio Grosso, the then three-time world champions had the perfect protection.
Alex Ferguson as soon as remarked that ‘assault wins you video games, however protection wins you titles.’ Italy in 2006 was the right embodiment of it. Being led by Cannavvaro, the Italians conceded solely two objectives, one personal aim, and one penalty, making them the one World Cup winner in historical past to not concede a single aim from open play.
Cannavaro was awarded the World Cup Silver Ball and World Soccer Participant of the Yr whereas additionally being named to the World Cup All-Star Staff.
