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In this post I pick up data of all winners of the FIFA mens player of the year. The name of the award was changed to Fifa Ballon d'or in 2010 and in 2016 it was changed to The best Fifa Men's player.
Messi the GOAT??
All Winners:
| Year | Name | Country | Team | FA | Age | Position |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1991 | Lothar Mattaus | Germany | Internazionale | Serie A | 30 | Midfield |
| 1992 | Marco van Basten | Netherlands | Milan | Serie A | 28 | Forward |
| 1993 | Roberto Baggio | Italy | Juventus | Serie A | 26 | Forward |
| 1994 | Romário | Brazil | Barcelona | La Liga | 28 | Forward |
| 1995 | George Weah | Liberia | Milan | Serie A | 29 | Forward |
| 1996 | Ronaldo | Brazil | Barcelona | La Liga | 20 | Forward |
| 1997 | Ronaldo | Brazil | Internazionale | Serie A | 21 | Forward |
| 1998 | Zinedine Zidane | France | Juventus | Serie A | 26 | Midfield |
| 1999 | Rivaldo | Brazil | Barcelona | La Liga | 27 | Midfield |
| 2000 | Zinedine Zidane | France | Juventus | Serie A | 28 | Midfield |
| 2001 | Luís Figo | Portugal | Real Madrid | La Liga | 29 | Midfield |
| 2002 | Ronaldo | Brazil | Real Madrid | La Liga | 26 | Forward |
| 2003 | Zinedine Zidane | France | Real Madrid | La Liga | 31 | Midfield |
| 2004 | Ronaldinho | Brazil | Barcelona | La Liga | 24 | Forward |
| 2005 | Ronaldinho | Brazil | Barcelona | La Liga | 25 | Forward |
| 2006 | Fabio Cannavaro | Italy | Real Madrid | La Liga | 32 | Defender |
| 2007 | Kaká | Brazil | Milan | Serie A | 25 | Midfield |
| 2008 | Cristiano Ronaldo | Portugal | Manchester United | Epl | 23 | Forward |
| 2009 | Lionel Messi | Argentina | Barcelona | La Liga | 22 | Forward |
| 2010 | Lionel Messi | Argentina | Barcelona | La Liga | 23 | Forward |
| 2011 | Lionel Messi | Argentina | Barcelona | La Liga | 24 | Forward |
| 2012 | Lionel Messi | Argentina | Barcelona | La Liga | 25 | Forward |
| 2013 | Cristiano Ronaldo | Portugal | Real Madrid | La Liga | 28 | Forward |
| 2014 | Cristiano Ronaldo | Portugal | Real Madrid | La Liga | 29 | Forward |
| 2015 | Lionel Messi | Argentina | Barcelona | La Liga | 28 | Forward |
| 2016 | Cristiano Ronaldo | Portugal | Real Madrid | La Liga | 31 | Forward |
Source:FIFA
Messi has won it an astonishing 5 times, I would not bet against him picking up a couple more before he retires.
Forwards Dominate
As expected, forward players have picked up the award on 18 occasions. Fabio Cannavaro is the only defender to ever win it -he won it in 2006 after leading Italy to an impressive world cup win. No goalkeeper has ever won the award, Oliver Kahn was runner up in 2002 while Manuel Neuer was 2nd runner up in 2016
Europe is King
All players to have made it to the top 3 from 1991 to 2016 played for a European club at the time of receiving the award. They all played for teams from the Big five leagues (La Liga, BPL, Serie A, Bundesliga and Ligue 1).
Youngest and Oldest Winner
Ronaldo Dilema is the youngest player to have ever won the award - he won it in 1996 when he was only 20. At 31, Christiano Ronaldo is the oldest player to have won it
Google Images
Barca Stars
Google Images
In 2010, Barcelona made history by becoming the only club to produce the top 3 players in world football in the same year.
Unlucky Xavi
Xavi is the only player to have made the top 3 on 3 occasions without ever winning.He was 2nd runner up in 2009,2010 and 2011.
Google Images
Messi and Ronaldo have dominated this decade, who do you think is going to dominate the next decade. Let me know in the comments.
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