Since its inception in 1956, the Ballon d’Ballon d'Orhas recognised the world’s best footballer, regardless of their position on the pitch.

However, the official records show that goalkeepers face an enormous challenge when it comes to winning the award.

This is where we open the debate and ask ourselves: Can a goalkeeper really win the Ballon d'Or?

Yes, a goalkeeper can win the Ballon d'Or, but we need to analyse the historical statistics to understand the real chances of this happening.

A 1.45 per cent chance

Throughout history, 69 Ballons d’Or have been awarded, but only one has been won by a goalkeeper.

This puts the statistical probability of a goalkeeper winning at 1.45 per cent – a figure that highlights the complexity of the challenge.

However, history shows that the path is open to anyone who puts in a truly extraordinary season.

In fact, many legendary goalkeepers have ranked among the top contenders for the ‘Ballon d'Or’ over the years.

That is why, in this article, we will look back at the goalkeepers who made history and who won – or came close to winning – the award.

Lev Yashin: The only winner

The only goalkeeper in history to win the ‘Ballon d'Or’ was the Soviet Lev Yashin, who was honoured in the 1963 edition.

Known worldwide as the ‘Black Spider’, the legendary Dynamo Moscow goalkeeper beat out greats of the era such as Gianni Rivera and Jimmy Greaves in the final vote.

Yashin recorded 150 penalty saves and more than 270 clean sheets throughout his career. However, he is best remembered for revolutionising the position.

The Soviet goalkeeper redefined the role by moving with ease outside the six-yard box, organising his defensive line with authority and setting a physical and technical standard never before seen in football.

Such was the magnitude of his legacy that, today, the award given to the world’s best goalkeeper bears the name of Lev Yashin. A true legend between the posts.

The best goalkeepers in the history of the ‘Ballon d'Or’

Although Yashin is the only winner in this position, the Ballon d'Or has featured several goalkeepers who have ranked among the top positions in the final standings.

A total of six goalkeepers have reached the podium (top three) and several more have secured places in the all-time top five:

- Lev Yashin (Soviet Union): Winner of the Ballon d'Or in 1963 (as well as 4th in 1961 and 5th in 1956 and 1960).

- Dino Zoff (Italy): 2nd in the 1973 ‘Ballon d'Or’ after winning Serie A with Juventus.

- Gianluigi Buffon (Italy): Runner-up in the 2006 Ballon d'Or following his historic performance at the World Cup in Germany.

- Ivo Viktor (Czechoslovakia): 3rd in the 1976Ballon d'Or after winning the European Championship.

- Oliver Kahn (Germany): 3rd in two consecutive editions of the Ballon d'Or (2001 and 2002), having won the UEFA Champions League and been named best player at the 2002 World Cup.

- Manuel Neuer (Germany): Finished third at the 2014 Ballon d'Or after helping Germany win the World Cup.

- Iker Casillas (Spain): 4th in the 2008 Ballon d'Or as captain of the Spanish national team that won the European Championship.

- Sepp Maier (Germany): 5th in the 1975 Ballon d'Or after winning a string of European titles with Bayern Munich.

- Peter Schmeichel (Denmark): 5th in the 1992 Ballon d'Or following their historic European Championship triumph.

In recent years, the goalkeepers who came closest to winning the Ballon d'Or were Brazil’s Alisson (7th in 2019) and Belgium’s Thibaut Courtois (7th in 2022).

The last goalkeeper to finish on the podium for the Ballon d'Or was Germany’s Manuel Neuer, who came third in the 2014 rankings.

Nothing is impossible

So, is it realistic to think that a goalkeeper could win the ‘Ballon d'Or’ again? Yes, but it’s a scenario with low probability and extremely high demands.

For a goalkeeper to lift the trophy again, he would need to have a perfect season and be the undisputed star of his team.

He would have to lead his team to major titles, be a decisive figure at crucial moments throughout the year and maintain impeccable consistency.

Historical data shows that the challenge is truly difficult, but not impossible...

Will a goalkeeper ever win the ‘Ballon d'Or’ again?