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Who is the youngest player to win the Ballon d’Or? Where would Vinicius rank on a list of the best players of all time?

Who is the youngest player to win the Ballon d’Or? Where would Vinicius rank on a list of the best players of all time?

The 2024 Ballon d’Or winner will be announced during Gala event on Monday in Paris, France..

Men’s and women’s trophies will be presented alongside other trophies including World’s Best Club, Best Goalkeeper, Best Coach and Outstanding Young Player.

Vinicius Junior and Aitana Bonmati, the 2023 Women’s Award winner, are favorites for the top honor. The Real Madrid and Barcelona Femeni stars may have their best years ahead of them given their relatively young ages, so this may not be the last time we see them lift the famous trophy.

But who are the youngest players to win the Ballon d’Or in the award’s illustrious history? Sports news looks.

MORE: Latest Ballon d’Or odds | Why Vinicius deserves the 2024 Ballon d’Or

Who is the youngest player to win the Ballon d’Or?

Youngest Ballon d’Or winner – Ronaldoformer Brazilian star known as “O Fenomeno”.

The former Barcelona, ​​Inter Milan and Real Madrid striker won the prize in 1997, when he was just 21 years and 95 days old.

Vinicius, who was 24 years and 108 days old on the day of the 2024 ceremony, is actually a long way from becoming the youngest recipient of the award. He would be 10th on such a list, ahead of Marco van Basten but behind Lionel Messi.

Youngest men’s Ballon d’Or winners

Player Year Age
1. Ronaldo 1997 21 years, 95 days
2. Michael Owen 2001 22 years, four days
3. Lionel Messi 2009 22 years, 157 days
4. George Best 1968 22 years, 212 days
5. Oleg Blokhin 1975 23 years, five days

MORE: What are the different awards at the Ballon d’Or Gala?

Who is the youngest women’s Ballon d’Or winner?

The Women’s Ballon d’Or has only been running since 2018, with this year’s winner remaining the youngest recipient of the award.

Star of Lyon Ada Hegerberg she was 23 years and 146 days old when she took home the golden ball.

Ada Hegerberg received the Ballon d'Or