With a new edition of the ‘Ballon d'Or’ on the horizon, an interesting debate has been reignited.

Can a footballer win the award after switching teams during the summer transfer window?

The answer is a resounding yes. All players are eligible to win the ‘Ballon d'Or’, even those who moved to a new club during the summer transfer window.

The award assesses overall performance over the season or the calendar year, so a transfer is not a barrier.

In fact, several footballers have shown that a change of shirt can be the decisive step towards the very top of the world.

Below, we look at the cases of the legends who won the trophy immediately after changing clubs.

The 7 footballers who won the ‘Ballon d'Or’ in the year of their transfer

  • Johan Cruyff (1973)

  • Ruud Gullit (1987)

  • George Weah (1995)

  • Ronaldo Nazário (1997)

  • Luís Figo (2000)

  • Ronaldo Nazário (2002)

  • Fabio Cannavaro (2006)

  • Lionel Messi (2021)

  • Lionel Messi (2023)

Johan Cruyff (1973): From Ajax to the Barça revolution

He won the European Cup with Ajax before joining FC Barcelona midway through the season.

His immediate impact at the Catalan club, combined with his previous continental dominance, earned him the second ‘Ballon d'Or’ of his career.

Ruud Gullit (1987): The breakthrough at Berlusconi’s Milan

He led PSV Eindhoven to the Eredivisie title and became AC Milan’s record signing that summer.

His lightning-fast adaptation to Serie A confirmed his absolute dominance in Europe and saw him win the ‘Ballon d'Or’.

George Weah (1995): A historic milestone for Africa

He was the Champions League’s top scorer with PSG before making the move to AC Milan in the summer.

His brilliant form in both shirts made him the first and only African footballer to win theBallon d'Or.

Ronaldo Nazário (1997): From his stellar spell at Barça to Inter

He enjoyed a legendary season scoring 47 goals for Barcelona before signing for Inter Milan during the same transfer window.

His performances in Spain, Italy and the Copa América with Brazil saw him crowned the youngest winner in the history of the ‘Ballon d'Or’.


Luís Figo (2000): The transfer of the century to Real Madrid

He shone at FC Barcelona and at the European Championship with Portugal before starring in the most controversial transfer of the era to Real Madrid.

He took the reins of the team from the moment he arrived and won the Ballon d'Or that very same year.

Ronaldo Nazário (2002): Recognition following the World Cup

After overcoming serious injuries whilst at Inter Milan, he made a comeback to win the Golden Boot and the 2002 World Cup with Brazil.

He signed for Real Madrid that summer and lifted his second Ballon d'Or a few months later.

Fabio Cannavaro (2006): The Azzurri captain who moved to Madrid

He captained Italy to the title at the 2006 World Cup in Germany, conceding just two goals.

Following Juventus’s relegation due to the Calciopoli scandal, he signed for Real Madrid and lifted the Ballon d'Or shortly afterwards.

Lionel Messi (2021): Glory with Argentina and a farewell to Barcelona

He won the Copa del Rey with Barcelona and ended the national team’s drought by winning the Copa América, where he was the star of the tournament.

Following his historic and unexpected move to PSG, he claimed his seventh Ballon d'Or.


Lionel Messi (2023): From world glory in Qatar to the MLS

He led Argentina to glory at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar and won Ligue 1 with PSG.

In the summer of 2023, he signed for Inter Miami and became the first player to receive the award whilst playing outside Europe.

These examples show that a footballer can indeed win the Ballon d'Or just months after changing clubs.

A transfer is no obstacle to winning the award.

So, who will win the 2026 edition?

We’ll find out on 26 October in London.