The Super Ballon d’Or, the most prestigious and rare award only ONE player has ever won

For years the Ballon d'Or has been viewed as the most prestigious individual prize a footballer can win but what if you add the word 'Super' in front of it?

The first ever Ballon d'Or award was handed back in 1956 and a plethora of the world's greatest ever players have got their hands on it.

But only one has the honour if being a 'Super Ballon d'Or' winner and that is Real Madrid legend Alfredo Di Stefano.

Di Stefano scored 308 goals for Real and played an integral role in five consecutive European Cup wins between 1956 and 1960.

He won the Ballon d'Or twice, in 1957 and 1959, but three years on from his second triumph award winners France Football commemorated his achievements again in a unique way.

To mark the 30th anniversary of the France Football magazine, they handed out the Super Ballon d'Or - with only European players in contention for the award.

Di Stefano was born in Argentina and played there until 1949. He later went on to represent Colombia and Spain, earning citizenship that qualified him for this trophy.

Legendary Johan Cruyff and Michel Platini were among the nominees but the award went to Di Stefano, 30 years after his second Ballon d'Or win.

Image: Alamy

The trophy looks a lot similar to the Ballon d'Or but has a lot of gold mini footballs bearing resemblance to Ferrero Rocher chocolates at the base.

The one-of-a-kind award was stationed at the Real Madrid Museum at the Santiago Bernabeu for years but then went to auction in London in September 2021 as part of a 'Property from the estate of Alfredo Di Stefano' event alongside other iconic memorabilia from his career.

As per Julien's auctions, the trophy sold for a whopping £187,500.

In 1995, a 'Golden Ballon d'Or' recognising non-European stars was handed out to Argentina legend Diego Maradona.

But after he finally got his hands on the World Cup, plenty of fans think seven-time Ballon d'Or winner Lionel Messi should have his own special version.

Image: Alamy

One wrote: "Super Ballón d'Or, an award given to the best player of the past 3 decades, only won by Di Stéfano. Give it to Messi and let it be the cherry on top for his unrealistic story."

A second said: "Before this very moment i had no idea this existed but now i know that it does, give it to Leo."

Another added: "What in the hidden treasures. He deserves one."

A fourth opined: "He will get it easily. no one else deserves it more in the last 30 years."

Topics: Ballon d'Or, Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Real Madrid

Josh Lawless

Josh is a sports journalist who specialises in football and wrestling. He has been published by Curzon Ashton FC, Late Tackle, Manchester City FC, The Mirror, Read Man City and Manchester Evening News. He provides coverage of professional wrestling and has interviewed some of the biggest names in the field - including the first UK interview with The Hardy Boyz after their return to WWE. He has never sported a pair of Lonsdale Slip-ons, contrary to reports.

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