The Shocking Truth About Pele's Ballon d'Or Wins That Will Surprise You

The name Pelé represents the essence of football—regardless of whether you've ever witnessed a match.

As football's inaugural worldwide superstar, Pelé not only established Brazil as a footballing powerhouse but also contributed to transforming the sport into the worldwide phenomenon we know today.

Bursting into prominence as a teenager at the 1958 World Cup, Pelé captivated audiences everywhere—netting three goals in the semifinal and two in the final as Brazil claimed their maiden World Cup victory.

This success launched a period of supremacy for both Brazil and Pelé. He subsequently captured two additional World Cups in 1962 and 1970, serving as the core of what many consider the finest national squad in history. Countless viewers worldwide watched in awe of his Brazilian-style artistry—creativity and vision previously unseen in the sport.

Pelé's excellence carried over to his professional journey with Santos, where he netted close to 650 goals and amassed numerous honors. Eager to display their star player, Santos traveled internationally like football's equivalent of the Harlem Globetrotters, offering supporters everywhere the chance to witness their phenomenon.

Given such extraordinary achievements and celebrity status, one might assume Pelé received football's most coveted individual accolade: the Ballon d'Or.

But did he? Let's examine this more closely.

Did Pele Ever Win the Ballon d'Or?

No—regardless of his iconic reputation, Pelé never claimed the Ballon d'Or.

What was the reason? During that era, the award had limitations. Upon its establishment in 1956, the Ballon d'Or was formally called the European Footballer of the Year, restricting eligibility to European players only.

This regulation was modified in 1995, allowing non-European players competing for European teams to qualify. Eventually, in 2007, the Ballon d'Or evolved into a genuinely worldwide honor, accessible to any professional player, irrespective of origin or team affiliation.

Throughout Pelé's playing days, he remained ineligible. Competing primarily for Santos in Brazil, he wasn't even in contention—despite his overwhelming success internationally.

How Many Times Could Pelé Have Won the Ballon d'Or?

This question proves challenging to answer—however France Football provided valuable insight in 2016.

Commemorating the Ballon d'Or's 60th milestone, the publication released a globalized reassessment of the award's past—titled Le nouveau palmarès—reexamining the pre-1995 years when European players held exclusive eligibility.

In this updated ranking, Pelé received the Ballon d'Or retrospectively an incredible seven occasions: in 1958, 1959, 1960, 1961, 1963, 1964, and 1970, superseding original recipients Raymond Kopa, Alfredo Di Stéfano, Luis Suárez, Omar Sívori, Lev Yashin, Denis Law, and Gerd Müller.

Naturally, these honors lack official status—Pelé's name continues to be missing from the Ballon d'Or's formal winner list. Nevertheless, this acknowledgment represents a meaningful tribute to how significantly he surpassed his contemporaries during that period.