'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,/9j/2wBDAAYEBQYFBAYGBQYHBwYIChAKCgkJChQODwwQFxQYGBcUFhYaHSUfGhsjHBYWICwgIyYnKSopGR8tMC0oMCUoKSj/2wBDAQcHBwoIChMKChMoGhYaKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCj/wgARCAAIAAoDASIAAhEBAxEB/8QAFAABAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABv/aAAgBAQAAAAACB//EABQBAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAL/2gAIAQIQAAAAH//EABQBAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAL/2gAIAQMQAAAAf//EACEQAAEEAQMFAAAAAAAAAAAAAAIBAwQRBQYSEwAVUWKh/9oACAEBAAE/ANRwoWCycXtzzUpiNPGGCyKt9sx3q464SIN7h2+K+ycZqMpDpMtS+JTVQ4XaCvWlquv/xAAWEQADAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA1H/2gAIAQIBAT8AXT//xAAVEQEBAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAv/aAAgBAwEBPwC3/9k='%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
#3 Lev Yashin – 34 years and 1 month
We have seen goalkeepers having their own place at the Ballon d'Or gala. However, we have never seen a shot-stopper go home with the golden ball except for Lev Yashin.
The Soviet goalkeeper was known for his goalkeeping as well as his commanding skills. Yashin often held his side's defense together and brought an air of composure to the backline.
Lev Yashin was revered for his lightning-fast reflexes and for pioneering the sweeper-keeper role that has become popular today. The Yashin trophy, which came into existence in 2019, is testament to this Soviet goalie's greatness.
#2 Lionel Messi - 34 years and 5 months
No words can describe the accomplishments of the wizard called Lionel Messi. The Argentine holds far too many records under his belt and the Ballon d'Or award is no different.
He is the only footballer to win the prestigious trophy for four times in a row (2009, 2010, 2011, 2012). He is also the only player to win the award a whopping seven times. Ever since winning his first Ballon d'Or trophy, the former Barcelona captain has never trailed in the Ballon d'Or race.
After Cristiano Ronaldo equalled his tally of five Ballon d'Ors in 2017, Messi added two more in 2019 and 2021 to increase his lead by two. Messi's 2021 included leading his national side Argentina to the Copa America title, his first ever major international trophy, as well as a Copa del Ray triumph with Barcelona.
Messi's highly decorated 2020 resulted in many believing the PSG man deserved the trophy.
#1 Stanley Matthews – 41 years and 10 months
Stanley Matthews occupies the top spot on our list of oldest Ballon d'Or winners. Sir Stanley Matthews was also the inaugural winner of the prestigious trophy. He spent the majority of his playing career at Stoke City and Blackpool.
The epitome of fitness, Matthews was able to extend his playing career until the age of 50. This is a phenomenon we have not seen since then (unless Zlatan Ibrahimovic pulls off another decade in his playing career).
An absolute poacher in front of goal, Sir Stanley Matthews barely placed a foot wrong when it came to finding the back of the net. He edged past his rivals Alfredo Di Stefano and Raymond Kopa by 3 and 14 points respectively to become the first ever Ballon d'Or winner.
