Pele and Diego Maradona are widely regarded as two of football’s greatest players, but neither won the Ballon d’Or because the award’s eligibility rules excluded them during their careers.
Originally called the European Footballer of the Year, the prize was reserved for European players and recognised individual performances at the highest level. That restriction meant both South American icons were unable to compete for the award.
The rules changed in 1995, allowing non-European players to be considered if they played for a European club. However, by that point Pele and Maradona were past their best.
The first non-European winner under the revised regulations was Liberia striker George Weah, who received the honour after an outstanding season with AC Milan in 1995.
Since then, a number of non-European players have won the award, including Lionel Messi, Ronaldo Nazario, Ronaldinho, Rivaldo and Kaka.
A further change came in 2007, when the Ballon d’Or became open to players of any nationality, regardless of where their club was based. That decision made it possible for footballers playing outside Europe to appear on the shortlist and compete for the prize.
Messi’s 2023 triumph demonstrated the importance of that development. The Argentina captain won the award after moving to Inter Miami in the United States, showing that playing outside Europe was no longer a barrier to recognition.
Why Pele and Maradona missed out
Pele, who died in December 2022 aged 82, ended his playing career with the New York Cosmos in 1977. His retirement came almost 20 years before Weah became the first non-European player to win the Ballon d’Or.
Maradona spent 11 years in Europe with Barcelona, Napoli and Sevilla before returning to Argentina in 1993. He played the final four seasons of his career there, but his influence was already beginning to decline.
That decline was accelerated by a 15-month ban after he failed a drug test for cocaine in 1991. By the time the award’s rules were changed, Maradona was no longer at the peak of his powers.
Their omission from the list of Ballon d’Or winners remains one of football’s most striking historical quirks. Fans continue to find it surprising that two players considered among the finest ever did not receive the sport’s most prominent individual award.
Neither Pele nor Maradona needed the trophy to define their careers. Their achievements and influence ensured that both left an enduring legacy in football despite never being eligible to win the Ballon d’Or.
