5 youngest Ballon d'Or winners in history

#4 George Best (1968; 22 years, 7 months, 2 days)

George Best

Widely regarded as one of the most naturally gifted footballers to ever grace the game, George Best won the Ballon d'Or aged 22 in 1968, as he spearheaded Manchester United to the European Cup with a 4-1 victory over Benfica in the final, with his crowning moment coming in extra time has his mazy run through the defence resulted in a crucial goal late in the game.

Known for his showmanship, flair, and extravagant lifestyle, Best was the poster boy of his generation and was one of the first players to become football celebrities. Best not only won the award in 1968, he did so in incredible circumstances, as he beat Franz Beckenbauer, Dragan Dzajic and teammate Bobby Charlton to the award.

Best's emergence began a new era for Manchester United, something they desperately needed after the Munich Air Disaster in 1958 had tragically killed 8 first team players just 10 years prior to their historic European Cup triumph. The Northern Irishman suffered from alcoholism throughout his life and officially succumbed to it in 2005 aged 59. Best, alongside Denis Law and Sir Bobby Charlton, are honoured by Manchester United for their exemplary contributions to the club with a statue outside Old Trafford, which was unveiled in 2008.