Super Ballon d’Or: Only one player in football history has won the rare award, who is it?

Even though seven-time Ballon d'Or winner Lionel Messi completed his trophy cabinet by winning FIFA World Cup 2022 trophy, he still has t won one of rarest awards in sport, and that is  Super Ballon d'Or. Super Ballon d'Or has been awarded on just one occasion previously. It was handed out in 1989, year  France Football magazine celebrated its 30th anniversary.

Who has been a recipient of Super Ballon d'Or?

Following his FIFA World Cup 2022 triumph in Qatar, Lionel Messi could become only second footballer in history to win Super Ballon d'Or since Real Mrid legend Alfredo Di Stefa won it in 1989. Di Stefa got his hands on greatest individual trophy in football history after he scored a staggering 308 goals for Real Mrid between 1956 and 1960 to help club win five consecutive European Cups.

Alfredo di Stefa won Super Ballon d'Or alongside Ballon d'Or awards he won in 1957 and 1959. At time, this trophy was only restricted to Europeans. Even though di Stefa was born in Argentina, he could receive award, having represented Colombia and n Spain, whose nationality he earned. Alongside di Stefa, or footballers shortlisted for Super Ballon d'Or were Johan Cruyff and Michel Platini.

If Super Ballon d'Or is awarded again, Lionel Messi's favourite

Ever since he me his senior club debut with Barcelona C in 2003, Lionel Messi's career has been thing short of staggering. Argentine captain completed his trophy cabinet after winning FIFA World Cup 2022 trophy as he has w won every trophy that he potentially can: League title, League cup, UEFA Champions League, Copa America and w World Cup.

He has also won several individual awards with greatest hour by far being Ballon d'Or, which he has won on seven occasions (2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2019, 2021). And when it comes to stats, Messi has scored a whopping 706 goals in club football after 863 appearances. Meanwhile, he has also scored a whopping 98 goals for Argentina from 172 appearances.