Fans Call for the Super Ballon d’Or, an Award Presented by France Football Once Every 30 Years.
Super Ballon d’Or.
The European Ballon d’Or was first awarded by France Football in 1956, and since then, 25 different players have won it. However, the Super Ballon d’Or has only been awarded to one individual, the legendary Alfredo Di Stefano.
Di Stefano played a crucial role in Real Madrid’s five consecutive European Cup victories from 1956 to 1960. He won the Ballon d’Or in 1957 and 1959. In 1989, to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the award, France Football decided to grant the Super Ballon d’Or to Di Stefano. This award is exclusively for European players. Di Stefano was born in Argentina but later played for the Spanish national team, making him eligible.
Legends Johan Cruyff and Michel Platini were among those nominated, but the award ultimately went to Di Stefano, 30 years after he won his second Ballon d’Or.
The trophy resembles the European Ballon d’Or but features numerous smaller golden balls at the base, reminiscent of Ferrero Rocher chocolates.
This unique award was housed at the Real Madrid Museum at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium for many years, but it was auctioned in London in September 2021 as part of the event “Assets from the Legacy of Alfredo Di Stefano”. The cup sold for an astounding £187,500.
