Diego Maradona and Pele are widely regarded as two of the greatest footballers of all time, yet neither man holds a single Ballon d'Or award. The reason for this has nothing to do with voting or snubs, but rather a rule that was in place from the award's inception. The Ballon d'Or was created in 1956 and was initially only open to European players. This rule was not a matter of bias, but a formal condition of entry.
The limitation was strictly enforced until 1994, meaning that players from other continents, including South America, were not eligible to win the award. For Pele, this meant that he was never considered for the award despite his impressive career, which included three World Cup medals and a 1970 tournament that many consider the finest in history. Maradona's situation was slightly different, as he spent the heart of his career in European football, playing for Barcelona, Napoli, and Sevilla.
However, Maradona's Argentine passport made him ineligible for the award during his playing career. This is particularly notable given his incredible performance in the 1986 World Cup, which is often described as the greatest individual tournament performance in the sport's history. The award that year went to Igor Belanov of Dynamo Kyiv instead. It wasn't until 1995 that the eligibility rules were updated to include players of any nationality competing at European clubs.
The change in rules came too late for both Maradona and Pele to be considered for the award. However, France Football, the organization behind the Ballon d'Or, eventually found a way to acknowledge both legends. In 1995, Maradona received the Ballon d'Or d'Honneur, a rare trophy that has been awarded only twice in the prize's history. Pele was honoured in 2013 at the FIFA Ballon d'Or gala with the Ballon d'Or Prix d'Honneur.
These awards were a formal acknowledgement that the rules, not the voters, had produced an absurd result for two of the sport's defining figures. The Ballon d'Or d'Honneur and the Ballon d'Or Prix d'Honneur were a way for France Football to recognize the contributions of Maradona and Pele, despite them not being eligible for the main award. This gesture highlights the impact that both players had on the sport.
The careers of Maradona and Pele are still celebrated by football fans around the world. Between them, they produced three World Cup triumphs and countless iconic moments. Their legacy continues to be felt in the sport, with many regarding them as two of the greatest footballers of all time. Despite not having a Ballon d'Or award, their achievements have not been forgotten.
In recent years, the Ballon d'Or has continued to evolve, with the 2026 rankings being announced recently. The leading contenders for this year's award include Harry Kane, Lamine Yamal, Ousmane Dembélé, Kylian Mbappé, and Lionel Messi. While Maradona and Pele may not have won the Ballon d'Or during their playing careers, their impact on the sport will always be remembered.
Key points
- The Ballon d'Or was not open to players from other continents until 1995.
- Maradona and Pele were eventually honoured with the Ballon d'Or d'Honneur and the Ballon d'Or Prix d'Honneur.
- The eligibility rules for the Ballon d'Or have changed over the years, but the legacy of Maradona and Pele remains unchanged.
