Footballers you didn’t remember who won the Ballon d’Or

5. George Weah – Ballon d’Or 1995

😎 Only African-born player to win the Ballon d’Or.

🌟 Idol at Milan and PSG.

⚽ Technique and power.

🇱🇷 Did not play in a World Cup, but became President of his country.

🤩 The great striker, George Weah celebrates 53 years of life.

👀 The greatest African of all time?

The Milan striker received the World Player of the Year award in 1995, becoming the first African with this distinction to date. In that year’s voting, he beat Germany’s Jürgen Klinsmann and Jari Litmanen.

4. Matthias Sammer – Ballon d’Or 1996

How many remember Matthias Sammer 🤩 One of the few defenders to have won the Ballon d’Or. ⚽

Possibly few -or almost no one- remember that Matthias Sammer won the 1996 Ballon d’Or and others will not know who we are talking about. The German midfielder excelled with Borussia Dortmund between 1993 and 1998, winning the European Championship and the Champions League. He beat Ronaldo and Alan Shearer in the election. Madness!

3. Michael Owen – Ballon d’Or 2001

“From the age of 10 to 17, there was no one in the world as good. At 18, he was already scoring goals in a World Cup. At 21, the Golden Ball. At 19, I was injured. I had the mentality of one of the best in the world, but my body was failing me.”

Michael Owen, on himself, in the Daiy Mail

Owen, after rising to fame at the 1998 World Cup in France, had the best period of his career at Liverpool until he reached his peak in 2001. In that year he won five titles: FA Cup, Community Shield, Carling Cup, UEFA Cup, European Super Cup and was also voted the Best in the World. He surpassed Raúl and Oliver Kahn.

2. Pavel Nedved – Ballon d’Or 2003

The Czech midfielder reached the peak of his career in 2003 when he played for Juventus. That year he won the Serie A and the Italian Super Cup, and was one step away from winning the Champions League, but the Vecchia Signora lost on penalties against Milan.

He won the Ballon d’Or in 2003 over Thierry Henry and Paolo Maldini.

1. Andriy Shevchenko – Ballon d’Or 2004

Happy 44th birthday to Andriy Shevchenko! 🎂

🌟 Champion of everything in the colors of AC Milan.

🤩 2004 Ballon d’Or.

🇺🇦 World Cup winner and Ukraine’s all-time top scorer.

One of the best strikers of his generation.

El mejor ucraniano de toda la historia recibió el premio de Mejor Futbolista del Mundo en 2004 mientras brillaba en el Milan. Campeón de la Serie A y de la Copa Italia de aquel año, venció en la elección a Deco y a Ronaldinho, ambas estrellas del Barcelona.