Super Ballon d’Or Power Rankings – The 10 Favorites

Ace Football names the 10 current favorites for the iconic Super Ballon d’Or award.

The Super Ballon d’Or is a special award by France Football magazine. The award was created in 1989 to honor players with a history of excellence over the last three decades.

Only one Super Ballon d’Or has been given out, and it went to Alfredo Di Stefano in 1989. He was a legendary footballer who played for Real Madrid and won the Ballon d’Or twice in 1957 and 1959. To decide the winner, three groups voted:

• Football experts from France Football.
• Former Ballon d’Or winners.
• Readers of France Football magazine.

Three-time Ballon d’Or winners Johan Cruyff and Michel Platini finished second and third respectively in the poll.

Now, following the conclusion of the 2023 Ballon d’Or, there is speculation that France Football may award the Super Ballon d’Or for a second time in 2029. In light of this, we have listed the 10 frontrunners to win the prize. These footballers are all Ballon d’Or winners in their own right and played between 1999 and 2029.

10. Karim Benzema 🇫🇷

To this day, Karim Benzema remains one of the biggest talents in world football. His intelligence, technical skills, and versatility make him a well-rounded striker. He not only scores goals, but hands out many assists. His consistent performance at the highest level over the years earned him the Ballon d’Or in 2022.

Benzema’s legacy is tied to Real Madrid, where he won a staggering 24 trophies. These included five Champions Leagues and four LaLiga titles. He also spearheaded France’s charge to the Nations League crown in 2021.

9. Luis Figo 🇵🇹

Luis Figo was a great footballer because he was incredibly skilled and could do many things. The winger was quick, had a precise passing ability, and could score goals. His versatility allowed him to play well in various positions. He played for top clubs like Barcelona and Real Madrid and was an important part of the Portuguese national team. His consistency and leadership qualities made him a top footballer in his time.

Figo won the Ballon d’Or in 2000. The Portuguese played most of his career in Spain, winning two LaLiga titles with Barcelona and two with Real Madrid. He won the Champions League with Real Madrid and then won five consecutive Serie A titles with Inter Milan before retiring.

8. Rivaldo 🇧🇷

Rivaldo was a great footballer because he was very skilled at dribbling, passing, and scoring goals. He had a unique ability to create opportunities and was known for his powerful shots. His all-around skills and ability to shine in important moments made him a standout footballer.

Rivaldo could play in different positions and made a big impact at top clubs like Barcelona and AC Milan. The 1999 Ballon d’Or winner was also a key player for the Brazilian national team, contributing to their 2022 World Cup success.

7. Luka Modric 🇭🇷

Luka Modric is a great footballer with acute intelligence and awareness on the pitch. The midfielder can control the game with his passing and has excellent vision, allowing him to create chances for his team. He is also very good at keeping possession of the ball.

Modric has won 23 major titles with Real Madrid, including five Champions Leagues. His leadership helped Croatia reach the World Cup final in 2018, earning the Ballon d’Or.

6. Roberto Baggio 🇮🇹

Roberto Baggio had extraordinary skills with the ball. The former midfielder was an exceptional dribbler, passer, and finisher. His creativity, elegance, and ability to change a game made him a standout footballer.

Baggio played for the big three clubs in Italy: Juventus, Inter, and AC Milan. The 1993 Ballon d’Or winner made a significant impact on the national team. He played a big role in Italy’s run to the final of the 1994 World Cup. He may have missed the decisive spot-kick in the penalty shootout loss to Brazil, but his performances are still remembered fondly.

5. Ronaldinho 🇧🇷

Ronaldinho played with incredible joy and creativity. He had amazing dribbling skills and could do things with the ball that left fans and opponents in awe. His passing and vision were exceptional, and he scored goals in a very entertaining way.

Ronaldinho’s cheerful personality and love for the game made him a beloved figure. The attacking midfielder won numerous awards, including the 2005 Ballon d’Or. He is best remembered for his spell at Barcelona, which yielded two LaLiga titles and the Champions League.

4. Ronaldo Nazario 🇧🇷

Ronaldo Nazario was incredibly fast and had remarkable goal-scoring abilities. The Phenomenon could score from almost anywhere on the pitch. His combination of speed, skill, and scoring prowess made him one of the best and most exciting strikers in football history.

Ronaldo achieved success with top clubs like Barcelona, Inter Milan, and Real Madrid. He won the FIFA World Player of the Year multiple times and the Ballon d’Or twice. His crowning moment was leading Brazil to glory in the 2022 World Cup.

3. Zinedine Zidane 🇫🇷

Zinedine Zidane had extraordinary skill and finesse on the pitch. The Frenchman made the game look effortless through his elegant dribbling and precise passing. He had a magical touch on the ball and is, without a doubt, one of the most admired and influential midfielders ever.

Zidane achieved success with top clubs like Juventus and Real Madrid. He won the Champions League for the latter with a mesmerizing left-footed strike from 18 yards out against Bayer Leverkusen in the final in 2001. Zizou also led the French national team to victory in the 1998 FIFA World Cup and the European Championship in 2000.

2. Cristiano Ronaldo 🇵🇹

Cristiano Ronaldo is fast, strong, and a fantastic scorer. The Portuguese can score goals with his head, left foot, and right foot, making him a complete striker. This, along with his dedication and work ethic, has made him one of the best footballers in history.

As a five-time Ballon d’Or and Champions League winner, Ronaldo is truly one of a kind. His list of achievements is endless. He has won everything at club level following spells at top teams like Manchester United, Real Madrid, and Juventus. He also captained Portugal to two major titles and is the all-time record scorer in football.

1. Lionel Messi 🇦🇷

As Pep Guardiola once said, there are no words to write or describe Lionel Messi. All you can do is watch. The Argentine isn’t the biggest or strongest player. But what he lacks in physicality, he more than makes up for in everything else.

Messi’s dribbling skills, precise passing, and scoring ability have led to many awards. Aside from a record eight Ballon d’Ors, this man has won every title imaginable. These include perhaps two of the biggest trophies: the UEFA Champions League and the World Cup itself.

Part of the featured image includes a photo of the Super Ballon d’Or by TheTank is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.

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