Pelé of Brazil and Diego Maradona of Argentina are widely regarded as two of the greatest footballers in history. Both enjoyed extraordinary careers, achieved remarkable success on the international stage and left an enduring mark on the sport. Yet neither won the Ballon d’Or during their playing days, despite their immense talent and achievements. The main reason was not a lack of ability, but the eligibility rules that governed football’s most prestigious individual awards.
Introduced in 1956 by French magazine France Football, the Ballon d’Or was initially reserved exclusively for European footballers. As a result, players from other continents, including Pelé and Maradona, were excluded from consideration during the peak years of their careers. The restriction meant that even footballers who dominated the international game could not compete for the award simply because they were not European.
A major change in 1995
The eligibility rules were revised in 1995, allowing players of any nationality to win the award, provided they played for a European club. This change opened the door to footballers from across the world who had established themselves in European leagues.
That same year, Liberian striker George Weah became the first non-European player to win the Ballon d’Or. Playing for AC Milan at the time, he made history and demonstrated how the revised rules could recognise talent beyond Europe.
Several Brazilian stars subsequently benefited from the change. Ronaldo Nazário, Rivaldo, Ronaldinho and Kaká all won the award, reinforcing the growing international character of elite European football. However, the 1995 reform still excluded players competing outside Europe, regardless of their nationality or performances.
The award becomes global in 2007
A further revision came in 2007, when the Ballon d’Or became open to footballers of any nationality playing for clubs anywhere in the world. This removed the geographical restriction that had previously prevented players outside European club football from being considered.
Lionel Messi later benefited from the broader eligibility framework. In 2023, he won his eighth Ballon d’Or while playing for Inter Miami in the United States. The award recognised his performances during the preceding season, particularly his leading role in Argentina’s triumph at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
The changes highlighted how the award had evolved from a European-focused honour into a global recognition of individual excellence.
Why Pelé missed out
Pelé spent much of his career with Brazilian club Santos, where he established himself as one of football’s most influential figures. He won the FIFA World Cup with Brazil in 1958, 1962 and 1970, becoming the only player to have lifted the men’s World Cup three times.
Despite those achievements, he could not compete for the Ballon d’Or under its original rules. His career was largely based in Brazil, outside the European football system that determined eligibility.
Towards the end of his playing career, Pelé joined the New York Cosmos in the United States. He retired from professional football in 1977, well before the 1995 reform opened the award to non-European players competing for European clubs.
Consequently, the later changes came too late for him to win the honour during his playing career.
Maradona faced the same restriction
Maradona also spent significant periods playing for prominent European clubs, including Barcelona, Napoli and Sevilla. His performances at Napoli were particularly influential, helping the Italian club win its first Serie A title in 1987 and another league championship in 1990.
His greatest international achievement came at the 1986 World Cup in Mexico, where he captained Argentina to victory. His performances throughout the tournament, including his decisive contribution in the quarter-final against England, secured his place among the sport’s most celebrated figures.
However, playing for European clubs did not make Maradona eligible for the Ballon d’Or. Under the rules in force at the time, the award remained restricted to European players.
In 1991, Maradona received a 15-month suspension after testing positive for cocaine. He subsequently left European club football and returned to Argentina in 1993. Although these events formed part of his later career, the fundamental reason he never won the Ballon d’Or was the award’s nationality restriction during his prime.
A legacy beyond individual awards
The absence of Ballon d’Or titles from Pelé’s and Maradona’s playing records has often prompted deba
