All English players who have won the Ballon d'Or

Sir Stanley Matthews, playing for Blackpool, won the inaugural Ballon d'Or in 1956; the other English recipients are Sir Bobby Charlton (1966), Kevin Keegan (1978 and 1979) and Michael Owen (2001).

The Ballon d'Or is presented annually to the world’s best footballer based on their performances and trophies won. Sir Stanley Matthews’ 1956 victory made him the first-ever recipient; he finished ahead of Alfredo Di Stéfano and Raymond Kopa in the voting, a result the source describes as establishing an important milestone for English football.

The Golden Ball returned to England only after a decade when Sir Bobby Charlton clinched the award in 1966 following what the source calls a sensational year for Manchester United and the Three Lions.

Kevin Keegan remains the only English player to win the Ballon d'Or in consecutive years. He claimed the honour in 1978 and 1979 while representing the German club, Hamburger SV.

Michael Owen became the fourth English player to win the Ballon d'Or when he received the award in 2001. According to the source, his victory stands as the most recent time an English player has won the men’s award.

Harry Kane is now the closest star from England to win the honour in 2026.