Paris — While the Ballon d’Or is widely recognized as football’s most prestigious annual prize, few know about its honorary counterpart: the Ballon d’Or d’Honneur. Unlike the yearly award that crowns the best player of a given season, this rare accolade is reserved for legends whose influence transcends eras and statistics.
To date, only two players have ever received this distinction: Pelé and Diego Maradona. Both never won the traditional Ballon d’Or during their playing careers due to eligibility rules that, until 1995, limited the award to European players. Yet their brilliance was undeniable, and their impact on the sport demanded recognition.
Pelé, the Brazilian icon who lifted three World Cups and scored over a thousand career goals, was honored with the Ballon d’Or d’Honneur in 2013. A year later, Diego Maradona, whose artistry and leadership defined Argentina’s 1986 World Cup triumph, was also celebrated with the same accolade2.
The rarity of the award underscores its significance. By granting the Ballon d’Or d’Honneur, organizers acknowledged that football greatness cannot always be measured by annual votes or continental eligibility. Instead, it is about legacy, inspiration, and the ability to shape the game for generations.
For fans, the award serves as a reminder that while Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo dominate the modern Ballon d’Or era, the foundations of football’s global appeal were laid by figures like Pelé and Maradona. Their recognition through the Ballon d’Or d’Honneur ensures their place not only in history books but also in the collective memory of the sport.
