Sophia
Manchester United stands as a beacon in English football, not just for its trophy-laden history, but also for its remarkable collection of individual accolades, particularly the coveted Ballon d’Or. While the Red Devils may not exert the same dominant force as in the Sir Alex Ferguson era, they remain the only English club to boast multiple winners of football’s most prestigious individual prize.
United’s enduring success has been built on the shoulders of exceptionally gifted footballers, and their presence in the Ballon d’Or rankings reflects this legacy. From the club’s early dominance to the modern era, Old Trafford has been home to some of the game’s true legends.
The Golden Era: United’s Early Ballon d’Or Triumphs
It didn’t take long for a Manchester United player to claim the Ballon d’Or, with Scottish international Denis Law making history just eight years after the award’s inception.
Denis Law (1964)
Law’s triumph in 1964 saw him beat Spanish duo Luis Suarez and Amancio to the coveted prize. Despite United failing to secure any silverware during the 1963–64 season, Law’s individual brilliance was undeniable. He scored a remarkable 46 goals in 42 matches, powering the Red Devils to a second-place finish in the league behind Liverpool.
Sir Bobby Charlton (1966)
Within four years, United celebrated two more Ballon d’Or champions. Sir Bobby Charlton was the next Red Devil to claim the accolade in 1966. While his club form was consistently impressive, this particular triumph was heavily influenced by his pivotal role in England’s historic 1966 World Cup victory. Charlton scored three crucial goals as the Three Lions lifted their first and only world championship trophy.
George Best (1968)
While Charlton was an English superstar, United’s next winner, George Best in 1968, was a global phenomenon. The Northern Irishman’s dazzling skill and charisma captivated audiences worldwide. During the 1967–68 campaign, Best scored 32 goals in 53 matches, leading the Red Devils to become the first English side to win the European Cup with a memorable 4-1 victory over Benfica. Best himself scored in the final, with Charlton also bagging a brace. Charlton, remarkably, finished second in the Ballon d’Or vote in both 1967 and 1968, showcasing United’s incredible individual talent pool.
A Modern Icon: Cristiano Ronaldo’s United Masterpiece
After a significant wait of 40 years, Manchester United once again celebrated a Ballon d’Or winner, coinciding with another European triumph in 2008 under the legendary Sir Alex Ferguson.
Cristiano Ronaldo (2008)
It was Cristiano Ronaldo who claimed the first of his record-breaking five Ballon d’Or titles while at Old Trafford. The 2007/08 season was arguably Ronaldo’s finest in a United jersey before his blockbuster move to Real Madrid, where he would go on to win his other four golden balls. He netted an astonishing 42 goals in all competitions, spearheading Ferguson’s side to both the Premier League title and the UEFA Champions League, where he also scored in the final.
Near Misses: United Players in the Ballon d’Or Top Three
Beyond the winners, several Manchester United players have come tantalizingly close to claiming the Ballon d’Or, finishing in the top three and cementing their place among the world’s elite.
- Duncan Edwards (1957): Tragically, the immensely talented Duncan Edwards, who perished in the 1958 Munich air disaster, finished third alongside Raymond Kopa in 1957, a year before his untimely death.
- Sir Bobby Charlton: Following his 1966 triumph, Charlton twice finished as runner-up (1967, 1968).
- George Best: Best also secured a third-place finish in 1971, three years after his victory, following another stellar year.
- Eric Cantona (1993): The enigmatic Frenchman, Eric Cantona, came second in 1993, just a year after his transformative move to Old Trafford. His immediate impact, a glut of goals, and daring flicks and tricks almost brought the award back to Manchester.
- David Beckham (1999): Six years later, David Beckham, who had inherited Best’s global superstardom, also finished second in the vote. Despite playing a pivotal role in guiding the Red Devils to an exceptional treble, he was unable to usurp Brazil’s trickster Rivaldo.
- Cristiano Ronaldo (2007): Ronaldo managed a second-placed finish in 2007, the year before his maiden success, signaling his imminent rise to the pinnacle of world football.
Manchester United Players on the Ballon d’Or Podium
| Player | Year | Placing |
|---|---|---|
| Duncan Edwards | 1957 | 3rd |
| Denis Law | 1964 | 1st |
| Bobby Charlton | 1966 | 1st |
| Bobby Charlton | 1967 | 2nd |
| George Best | 1968 | 1st |
| Bobby Charlton | 1968 | 2nd |
| George Best | 1971 | 3rd |
| Eric Cantona | 1993 | 3rd |
| David Beckham | 1999 | 2nd |
| Cristiano Ronaldo | 2007 | 2nd |
| Cristiano Ronaldo | 2008 | 1st |
This rich history underscores Manchester United’s enduring legacy as a club that not only achieves collective success but also nurtures and attracts individual brilliance, consistently placing its stars among the very best in the world.
