The Ballon d’Or is one of the most prestigious awards in soccer, celebrating individual talent, especially in scoring and attacking play. However, goalkeepers, who often play a crucial role in games, tend to receive less recognition.
From crucial saves to match-winning moments, goalkeepers have influenced many significant outcomes in tournaments. Despite this, they rarely receive the same level of acclaim as forwards and midfielders.
This leads to a thought: how often have goalkeepers won this top accolade? The answer is both rare and intriguing, highlighting how the sport regards its last line of defense.
Has any goalkeeper won the Ballon d’Or?
In the history of the Ballon d’Or, only one goalkeeper has ever claimed the award. In 1963, Soviet star Lev Yashin, known as the “Black Spider,” was recognized as the best soccer player globally.
Lev Yashin with the Ballon d’Or in 1963. (Source: Britannica)
As a player for Dynamo Moscow, Yashin was celebrated for his quick reflexes, acrobatic saves, and strong presence on the field, changing perceptions of goalkeeping.
His achievement remains unmatched. While goalkeepers like Oliver Kahn, Gianluigi Buffon, and Manuel Neuer have been contenders, none have outshone attacking players in the voting. The Ballon d’Or has typically favored those who score goals and create plays, putting keepers at a disadvantage despite their vital role in matches.
Yashin’s victory signifies both his exceptional talent and the inherent biases within football’s top award. He remains the only goalkeeper recognized in Ballon d’Or history, illustrating his unique contribution to the sport.
Why do goalkeepers struggle to win the Ballon d’Or?
Forwards and attacking players often dominate the Ballon d’Or because their contributions are more visible. Goals, assists, and attacking play are easier to measure and celebrate than the more subtle impacts of goalkeepers.
A goalkeeper’s impact is often recalled in specific moments—like a vital save or a penalty kick stop. However, over a season, these moments are harder to measure compared to scoring multiple goals, creating an imbalance in voting tendencies.
To address this issue, France Football launched the Yashin Trophy in 2019, which highlights the achievements of goalkeepers. Although this provides more recognition, it also emphasizes the challenge they face in winning the main Ballon d’Or.
While the structural bias remains, it does not eliminate the chance for another goalkeeper to match Lev Yashin. However, it implies that an outstanding season—where a keeper’s performance leads to major victories—is needed to change this trend.