Three Brazilians in the running

Among the 30 nominees for the 2026 Men’s Ballon d’Or, Brazilian fans can celebrate the inclusion of three of the country’s current top stars: Vinícius Júnior, the 26-year-old Real Madrid winger (on his fifth nomination); Marquinhos, the 32-year-old Paris Saint-Germain centre-back (on his second nomination); and Gabriel Magalhães, the 28-year-old Arsenal centre-back (on his first nomination).

This got us thinking.

Given that so many incredible Brazilian players have been recognised by the ‘Ballon d'Or’ over the years, which edition of the ceremony had the highest number of Brazilian nominees?

Before we continue, it’s important to remember that the award only began to include countries outside Europe in 1995.

The Brazilians who have won the award

There have been five years in which a Brazilian player has won the ‘Ballon d'Or’.

Years in which the Ballon d'Or was won by a Brazilian player:

  • 1997 – Ronaldo (Barcelona / Inter Milan)

  • 1999 – Rivaldo (Barcelona)

  • 2002 – Ronaldo (Inter Milan / Real Madrid)

  • 2005 – Ronaldinho (Barcelona)

  • 2007 – Kaká (AC Milan)

There were also other years when Brazilian players came close to lifting the trophy, but ultimately fell just short.

Years in which Brazilians came close to theBallon d’Or:

  • 1996 – Ronaldo (PSV Eindhoven / Barcelona) finished in 2nd place

  • 1998 – Ronaldo (Inter Milan) finished in 3rd place

  • 2002 – Roberto Carlos (Real Madrid) finished in 2nd place

  • 2004 – Ronaldinho (Barcelona) finished in 3rd place

  • 2015 – Neymar (Barcelona) finished in 3rd place

  • 2017 – Neymar (Barcelona / Paris Saint-Germain) finished in 3rd place

  • 2024 – Vinícius Júnior (Real Madrid) finished in 2nd place

The year with the most Brazilian nominees

In total, 40 different Brazilian players have been nominated for the ‘Ballon d’Or’ – the highest number of any country outside Europe.

In fact, ever since Brazilian players became eligible for the award in 1995, there has not been a single edition of the ceremony without at least one Brazilian player amongst the nominees.

But which year saw the highest number of Brazilian players amongst the final nominees?

The ranking provides an interesting insight.

Years with the highest number of Brazilian players amongst the nominees for the ‘Ballon d'Or’:

  1. 2005 – 10 Brazilian nominees

  2. 2002 – 8 Brazilian nominees

  3. 2004 – 7 Brazilian nominees

  4. 1997 / 2007 – 6 Brazilian nominees

  5. 1999 / 2001 / 2003 / 2009 – 5 Brazilian nominees

  6. 1998 / 2000 / 2006 / 2018 – 4 Brazilian nominees

  7. 1995 / 2010 / 2017 / 2019 / 2022 / 2026 – 3 Brazilian nominees

  8. 1996 / 2011 / 2013 / 2025 – 2 Brazilian nominees

  9. 2008 / 2012 / 2014 / 2015 / 2016 / 2021 / 2023 / 2024 – 1 Brazilian nominee

For this ranking, we have only considered Brazilian players who have represented the Brazilian national team – which is why names such as Deco have been excluded.

The year with the most Brazilian nominees was 2005, with ten (six of whom received no votes).

Why were there so many Brazilians in 2005?

The high number of nominees is perhaps not so surprising when we look at the context of the time. The Brazilian national team was widely regarded as the best in the world. The team were fresh from winning the Confederations Cup, having also won the Copa América the previous year, and were tipped by many as the hot favourites for the 2006 World Cup.

Brazilian nominees for the ‘Ballon d'Or’ in 2005:

  • 1st place – Ronaldinho (Barcelona)

  • 7th place – Adriano (Inter Milan)

  • 9th place – Kaká (Milan)

  • 12th place – Juninho Pernambucano (Olympique Lyon)

  • No votes – Cris (Olympique Lyon)

  • No votes – Dida (Milan)

  • No votes – Emerson (Juventus)

  • No votes – Roberto Carlos (Real Madrid)

  • No votes – Robinho (Real Madrid)

  • No votes – Ronaldo (Real Madrid)

The year with the second-highest number of Brazilians nominated for the ‘Ballon d’Or’ is even less surprising: 2002, when Brazil won their fifth World Cup title – a record that still stands today.

At the other end of the scale, there were eight years in which only one Brazilian player received a nomination. In five of those eight cases, that player was Neymar: 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2021.

How far will the three Brazilian nominees go this year? Will any of them take home the coveted award, becoming the first Brazilian player in almost 20 years to win it?

We’ll find out at the ceremony in London on 26 October.