The Super Ballon d'Or: Football's Most Exclusive Prize Explained

As a football enthusiast, you've likely come across the prestigious Ballon d'Or award.

Dating back to 1956, the French publication France Football has presented this legendary golden sphere to the planet's finest player—initially determined by their accomplishments within a calendar year, and currently evaluated based on performance throughout the preceding season.

Many of football's legendary figures have claimed the Ballon d'Or: Ronaldinho, Zinedine Zidane, Ronaldo, Marco van Basten, Cristiano Ronaldo, among others. However, it's Lionel Messi who stands at the pinnacle, capturing this honor a record-breaking eight times.

But what about the Super Ballon d'Or? Most likely, you haven't encountered this term before—and there's good reason for that.

Don't worry, though. In this piece, Sports Illustrated breaks down everything essential about the Super Ballon d'Or: its origins, past winners, and potential future ceremonies.

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What Is the Super Ballon d'Or?

To date, only one Super Ballon d'Or has been presented—which clarifies its limited recognition.

In 1989, France Football conceived this concept, presenting a unique honor to the individual considered the finest of the preceding thirty years.

The recipient was selected through combined voting from readers and viewers, a committee of France Football journalists, and previous Ballon d'Or recipients. Real Madrid icon Alfredo Di Stéfano was eventually selected, edging out Johan Cruyff and Michel Platini by a narrow margin. Notably, readers and viewers had actually preferred Platini, but the panel and former winners swayed the decision toward Di Stéfano.

The award itself was an impressive creation: a substantial golden sphere emerging from red crystals, with smaller red spheres positioned around the foundation. For numerous years, it remained exhibited at the Real Madrid museum within the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium. In 2021, Di Stéfano's family sold the trophy to an undisclosed purchaser for £187,500.

Will There Be Another Super Ballon d'Or?

Currently, no formal arrangements exist for another Super Ballon d'Or, making it among football's most exclusive—perhaps the most exclusive—individual accolades ever.

One might expect a second ceremony could have occurred in 2019, thirty years following the original, but that milestone passed without recognition.

Rumors persist that the award might resurface in 2029, commemorating four decades since its debut and sole presentation.

Who Would Win the Second Super Ballon d'Or?

Should a second Super Ballon d'Or ever be presented, there's arguably one obvious frontrunner: Lionel Messi, holder of an unprecedented eight standard Ballon d'Or awards.

In the remote possibility of genuine competition, it would probably emerge from Cristiano Ronaldo—Messi's enduring adversary, five-time Ballon d'Or champion, and currently professional football's all-time leading goalscorer.

Additional possible candidates could feature Ronaldo Nazário, a beloved figure widely considered the ultimate natural striker and two-time Ballon d'Or victor; Zinedine Zidane, among history's finest midfield players; and Ronaldinho, the performer who delivered incomparable excitement to football through his enchanting joga bonito approach.

Realistically, however, Messi would likely lead the race—unless someone achieves four straight Ballons d'Or before 2029. The challenge is yours, Kylian Mbappé.