English Ballon d’Or Winners: The Full List
| Player | Year(s) won | Club at the time |
|---|---|---|
| Stanley Matthews | 1956 | Blackpool |
| Bobby Charlton | 1966 | Manchester United |
| Kevin Keegan | 1978, 1979 | Hamburg |
| Michael Owen | 2001 | Liverpool |
These four players make up England’s Ballon d’Or roll of honour.
Who Was the Last English Player to Win the Ballon d’Or?
Michael Owen was the last English Ballon d’Or winner, receiving the award in 2001 after an outstanding year with Liverpool.
Owen helped Liverpool win the FA Cup, League Cup and UEFA Cup that year. His performances earned him the award ahead of Real Madrid forward Raúl, ending England’s wait for a winner since Kevin Keegan in 1979. Source: The Standard
Which English Player Has Won the Most Ballon d’Or Awards?
Kevin Keegan has won the most Ballon d’Or awards of any English player, taking the prize in both 1978 and 1979 while playing for Hamburg.
He remains the only Englishman to win it more than once. Matthews, Charlton and Owen each received the award on one occasion. Source: UEFA
Who Was the First English Ballon d’Or Winner?
Stanley Matthews became the first English player to win the Ballon d’Or in 1956. The Blackpool winger also won the inaugural edition of the award.
Bobby Charlton followed in 1966, before Keegan’s consecutive victories in 1978 and 1979 and Owen’s success in 2001. Source: UEFA
Frequently Asked Questions
How many times have English players won the Ballon d’Or?
English players have won the men’s Ballon d’Or five times, through four different winners. Kevin Keegan accounts for two of those victories.
Has an English player won the Ballon d’Or twice?
Yes. Kevin Keegan won back-to-back awards in 1978 and 1979.
When did Michael Owen win the Ballon d’Or?
Michael Owen won the Ballon d’Or in 2001, while playing for Liverpool.
Are English and British Ballon d’Or winners the same?
No. A list of British winners also includes players from other parts of the United Kingdom. Scotland’s Denis Law won in 1964, while Northern Ireland’s George Best won in 1968. Neither is included in the count of four English winners. Source: UEFA