Stanley Matthews is the oldest men’s Ballon d’Or winner. He won the inaugural award in 1956 at 41 years, 10 months and 17 days old while playing for Blackpool.
More than six decades later, Matthews still holds the record. Lionel Messi is the second-oldest men’s winner, having collected his eighth Ballon d’Or in 2023 at 36 years, 3 months and 6 days.
How Old Was Stanley Matthews When He Won the Ballon d’Or?
Stanley Matthews was 41 years, 10 months and 17 days old when he won the Ballon d’Or.
The age is calculated from his documented date of birth, 1 February 1915, to the award date of 18 December 1956.
From 1 February 1956 he had already completed 41 full years. The remaining period from that birthday to 18 December adds ten months and 17 days.
The official Ballon d’Or record gives his age as 41 years, 10 months and 17 days.
Oldest Ballon d’Or Winners
The table below shows some of the oldest men’s Ballon d’Or winners, ordered by their age when they received the award. Exact ages are shown where reliable award and birth-date records allow them to be calculated.
| Rank | Player | Year | Age at Award | Club |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Stanley Matthews | 1956 | 41 years, 10 months, 17 days | Blackpool |
| 2 | Lionel Messi | 2023 | 36 years, 3 months, 6 days | Inter Miami |
| 3 | Karim Benzema | 2022 | 34 years, 9 months, 29 days | Real Madrid |
| 4 | Lev Yashin | 1963 | 34 years, 1 month | Dynamo Moscow |
| 5 | Lionel Messi | 2021 | 34 years, 5 months, 5 days | Paris Saint-Germain |
| 6 | Alfredo Di Stéfano | 1959 | 33 years | Real Madrid |
| 7 | Luka Modrić | 2018 | 33 years | Real Madrid |
| 8 | Fabio Cannavaro | 2006 | 33 years | Real Madrid |
| 9 | Cristiano Ronaldo | 2017 | 32 years | Real Madrid |
| 10 | Josef Masopust | 1962 | 31 years | Dukla Prague |
Matthews remains comfortably ahead of the other oldest winners. Messi’s 2023 victory is the second-oldest men’s Ballon d’Or win, followed by Benzema’s 2022 award.
Who Is the Oldest Ballon d’Or Winner Since 1995?
The Ballon d’Or changed its eligibility rules in 1995. Until then, the award was restricted to European players, while the 1995 reform opened it to players of all nationalities who played in European leagues. In 2007, the award became fully global, with no nationality or league restriction.
In the period since the eligibility expansion, Lionel Messi is the oldest men’s Ballon d’Or winner. He collected his eighth award in 2023 at 36 years, 3 months and 6 days old as an Inter Miami player.
The 2023 victory followed Argentina’s success at the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Messi scored seven goals in the tournament and was named its best player.
The 2023 victory followed Argentina’s success at the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Messi scored seven goals in the tournament and was named its best player.
Has Anyone Won the Ballon d’Or After Turning 40?
Stanley Matthews is the only men’s Ballon d’Or winner to claim the award after turning 40. He did so at 41 years, 10 months and 17 days in 1956.
The next-oldest men’s winner is Lionel Messi, who was 36 years, 3 months and 6 days old when he won in 2023.
Oldest Ballon d’Or Winner FAQs
Who is the oldest Ballon d’Or winner?
Stanley Matthews of Blackpool is the oldest men’s Ballon d’Or winner. He received the inaugural award in 1956 at 41 years, 10 months and 17 days.
How old was Stanley Matthews when he won the Ballon d’Or?
Matthews was 41 years, 10 months and 17 days old. The figure is calculated from his birth date of 1 February 1915 to the award date of 18 December 1956.
Who is the oldest Ballon d’Or winner since 1995?
Lionel Messi is the oldest men’s Ballon d’Or winner since the award opened to players of all nationalities in 1995. He won in 2023 at 36 years, 3 months and 6 days old.
How old was Messi when he won the 2023 Ballon d’Or?
Messi was 36 years, 3 months and 6 days old. The 2023 award was his eighth and came while he was playing for Inter Miami.
Who is the second-oldest Ballon d’Or winner?
Lionel Messi is the second-oldest. His 2023 victory at 36 years, 3 months and 6 days places him next behind Matthews.
Who is the oldest Ballon d’Or winner in the 21st century?
Lionel Messi holds the mark for the 21st century with his 2023 award at 36 years, 3 months and 6 days. Karim Benzema follows from 2022.
Conclusion
Stanley Matthews remains the oldest men’s Ballon d’Or winner in history. He won the inaugural award in 1956 at 41 years, 10 months and 17 days old while playing for Blackpool.
Lionel Messi is second on the all-time list after winning his eighth Ballon d’Or at 36 years, 3 months and 6 days old in 2023. Karim Benzema is next, having won the 2022 award at 34 years, 9 months and 29 days.
Matthews’ record has therefore remained intact since the first Ballon d’Or was awarded in 1956. For the complete history of the award, see our Ballon d’Or winners list.
