The organization behind the Ballon d'Or has officially clarified that a footballer is eligible to win the prestigious individual award even without capturing a team trophy during the season. According to their statement, a player's impact and contribution on the pitch hold greater significance than the collection of team titles. While winning a trophy is common, it is not a strict requirement, as evidenced by six players in history who claimed the honor during trophyless campaigns.
Stanley Matthews became the first to achieve this feat in 1956, the inaugural year of the award. He was later followed by Denis Law in 1964 and Gerd Müller in 1970, with the latter notably scoring 10 goals during the World Cup despite his team finishing third. Other players who secured the title in trophyless seasons include Kevin Keegan in 1978 and Luis Figo in 2000. Cristiano Ronaldo remains the most recent recipient to achieve this, having won the award in 2013, making it 11 editions since the last such occurrence.
As the conversation turns to future contenders, Luis Figo has identified Kylian Mbappe as a frontrunner for the 2026 award. Figo highlighted the Frenchman's impressive season with Real Madrid and his significant impact during the FIFA World Cup. Figo noted that while the World Cup often influences the final decision, domestic titles and Champions League success remain crucial factors. He also suggested that players like Vitinha and Desire Doue, along with others such as Lionel Messi, Erling Haaland, Rodri, Ousmane Dembele, Michael Olise, and Harry Kane, warrant consideration for their performances throughout the season.
