Flamengo and the ‘Ballon d'Or’: a story of connections

Flamengo has been nominated for the Men’s Club of the Season award at the Ballon d'Or 2026.

However, whilst this is the first time the Brazilian club has been nominated for the award, it is not the first time there has been a clear link between the Rubro-Negro and the ceremony.

Throughout history, several players have been nominated for the award and have played for Flamengo at different stages of their careers – including one who even took the trophy home.

Do you know who they are?

Read the article below to find out.

Bebeto

  • At Flamengo: 1983–89 / 1996

  • Ballon d'Or nominee: 1995

The legendary Brazilian striker Bebeto began his professional career at Vitória, but moved to Flamengo in 1983 and remained at the club until 1989. During that time, he won six titles with the Rio de Janeiro side, including two national championships.

After a few years with rivals Vasco da Gama, he moved to Spain, where he joined Deportivo La Coruña in 1992. He spent four seasons at the club and became a fan favourite, winning the Copa del Rey and the Spanish Super Cup in 1995. It was also in that year that he received his only nomination for the ‘Ballon d'Or’ – just as non-European players became eligible for the award.

Bebeto returned to Flamengo in 1996, but his spell there was short-lived before he returned to Spain later that year, this time to play for Sevilla.

Statistics for Flamengo:

  • Appearances – 107

  • Goals – 46

  • Assists – 20

  • Titles – 6

Júlio César

  • At Flamengo: 1991–97 (youth), 1997–05 (first team) / 2018

  • Ballon d'Or nominee: 2009 / 2010

Júlio César is regarded as one of the greatest goalkeepers in Flamengo’s history. Having come through the club’s youth ranks, he made his debut for the first team in 1997, but only established himself as the first-choice goalkeeper in the early 2000s.

César helped Flamengo avoid relegation on several occasions during this period and left the club in 2005 as the third-most capped goalkeeper in Flamengo’s history, behind only Cantarele and Zé Carlos.

He won eight titles for the club and is particularly remembered for his heroic saves against Vasco in the final of the 2001 Campeonato Carioca.

César’s recognition in ‘Ballon d'Or’ came during his seven-season spell at Inter Milan, a period in which he won 14 titles, including five consecutive Serie A titles and the Champions League in 2010 – the club’s first European title in 45 years.

It was also during this period that he put in a series of outstanding performances for the Brazilian national team, helping the side to win the Confederations Cup in 2009.

César returned to Flamengo in 2018 from Europe for a symbolic farewell spell before retiring from the game.

Statistics for Flamengo (professional):

  • Matches – 188

  • Clean sheets – 51

  • Titles – 8

Adriano

  • At Flamengo: 1997–99 (youth), 2000–01 (first team) / 2009–2010 / 2012

  • Ballon d'Or nominee: 2004 / 2005

It is impossible to talk about Flamengo’s legends without mentioning Adriano.

The striker came through the club’s youth ranks, was promoted to the first team in 2000 and won the Rio de Janeiro State Championship twice.

He then moved to Italy to play for Inter Milan. There, he became known as ‘Imperatore’ (the Emperor), thanks to his dominance in attack and his imposing presence, which made him seem virtually unstoppable.

He was nominated for the ‘Ballon d'Or’ in 2004 and 2005 – precisely during a period of great success with Inter, when he won the Coppa Italia and the Supercoppa Italiana with the club. The nominations also took into account his equally impressive performances for the Brazilian national team, where he was the top scorer at the 2004 Copa América and the 2005 Confederations Cup.

A month after terminating his contract with Inter in April 2009, Adriano returned to Flamengo and scored in his very first match back. That year, he helped the team win their first Brazilian Serie A title since 1992.

He returned to Italy in 2010, this time to play for Roma, but returned to Flamengo for the third time in 2012, after being released by Corinthians.

Flamengo statistics (professional):

  • Matches – 81

  • Goals – 43

  • Assists – 10

  • Titles – 3

Juninho Paulista

  • At Flamengo: 2002 (on loan) / 2007

  • Ballon d'Or nominee: 1997

Having come through the youth ranks at Ituano, Juninho Paulista began his professional career at São Paulo before moving to Middlesbrough in England in 1995. He quickly became one of the club’s key attacking players, helping the team reach the finals of the FA Cup and the League Cup, before joining Atlético Madrid in 1997. That same year – in which he also won the Confederations Cup with the Brazilian national team – he received his first and only nomination for the ‘Ballon d'Or’.

Juninho’s spell in Spain was marred by injuries, and he ended up being loaned out on several occasions, including to Middlesbrough, Vasco and Flamengo in 2002.

In 2007, he returned to Flamengo, again for a short spell, this time from Palmeiras. That year, he won the Campeonato Carioca with the club, but left the team shortly afterwards.

His two spells with the Rubro-Negro were very brief and are rarely mentioned when discussing the player’s career in Brazilian football.

Statistics for Flamengo:

  • Matches – 20

  • Goals – 1

  • Assists – 0

  • Titles – 1

Denílson

  • At Flamengo: 2000 (on loan)

  • Ballon d'Or nominee: 1998

Having come through the youth ranks at São Paulo, Denílson made a name for himself at the club as one of the world’s most promising wingers and won two titles during that period. In 1998, he moved to Europe to play for Real Betis, after helping São Paulo win the Campeonato Paulista, representing Brazil at the World Cup and receiving, in that same year, his first and only nomination for the Ballon d'Or.

He spent a few months on loan at Flamengo in 2000 before returning to Betis, where he remained until 2005.

Although he scored a few goals, his spell at the Rio de Janeiro club was short-lived and ultimately failed to leave a significant mark.

Statistics for Flamengo:

  • Matches – 17

  • Goals – 4

  • Assists – 2

  • Titles – 0

Ronaldinho

  • At Flamengo: 2011–2012

  • Ballon d'Or nominee: 2002 / 2003 / 2004 / 2005 / 2006 / 2007

Ronaldinho is not only a player who has received six nominations for the Ballon d'Or, but also one of only four Brazilians to have won the award since non-European players became eligible in 1995.

He received his nominations whilst captivating audiences across Europe, first with Paris Saint-Germain and, most notably, with Barcelona. With the Catalan club, he won five titles, including two consecutive La Liga titles and the club’s first Champions League title in 14 years, in 2006. It was also during this highly successful period in the 2000s that Ronaldinho became one of the leading stars of the Brazilian national team, winning the 2002 World Cup and the 2005 Confederations Cup.

In 2005, he took home the ‘Ballon d'Or’ award following a season in which he led Brazil to victory in the Confederations Cup and won two titles with Barcelona.

In January 2011, Ronaldinho left Milan to return to Brazil, but instead of joining Grêmio, the club he supports, he signed for Flamengo. He quickly became a fan favourite at Flamengo, scoring a free-kick against Boavista to secure the Guanabara Cup shortly after his arrival.

His most memorable performance for Flamengo came in July of that year, in a league match against Neymar’s Santos. Flamengo were 3–0 down after 30 minutes, but Ronaldinho scored a hat-trick and led an unforgettable 5–4 comeback.

He left the club in May 2012.

Statistics for Flamengo:

  • Appearances – 72

  • Goals – 28

  • Assists – 17

  • Titles – 1

Vinícius Júnior

  • At Flamengo: 2006–17 (youth), 2017–18 (first team)

  • Ballon d'Or nominee: 2022 / 2023 / 2024 / 2025 / 2026

Vinícius Júnior has just received his fifth nomination for the ‘Ballon d'Or’, at the age of 26.

The explosive winger has received all his nominations whilst playing for Real Madrid – a club with which he has become closely associated since moving to Spain in 2018, aged just 18.

He has won 14 trophies with the club, including three La Liga titles and two Champions League titles, as well as scoring decisive goals in the finals of the 2021–22 and 2023–24 editions of the tournament. In 2024, he finished second in the ‘Ballon d'Or’ vote, behind only Rodri.

It is important to remember, however, that before making his mark in Spain, Vinícius had already established himself as one of the most exciting young talents in Brazilian football.

Having come through the Flamengo youth ranks, he joined the club whilst still a child and made his professional debut in 2017, a year before moving to Europe. Despite leaving at such a young age, the star has frequently spoken of his love for the Rubro-Negro since leaving the club.

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Statistics for Flamengo (professional):

  • Matches – 69

  • Goals – 14

  • Assists – 5

  • Titles - 0

Diego Ribas

  • At Flamengo: 2016–2022

  • Ballon d'Or nominee: 2007 / 2009

Midfielder Diego Ribas, who came through the youth ranks at Santos, gained international recognition whilst playing for Werder Bremen in the late 2000s. His two nominations for the ‘Ballon d'Or’ in 2007 and 2009 came in recognition of his outstanding performances for the German club, helping them reach their first UEFA Cup final, as well as winning the DFB-Ligapokal and the DFB-Pokal. He also helped the Brazilian national team win the 2007 Copa América.

Ribas went on to play for other European clubs before returning to Brazil to join Flamengo in July 2016.

The midfielder made an immediate impact and soon became a key player during a period of numerous titles for the Rio de Janeiro side.

Ribas is the most successful player on this list for Flamengo, having won 12 titles during his time at the club.

The most memorable triumph was the 2019 Copa Libertadores. Ribas came on as a substitute in the second half and helped set up both of Gabigol’s goals, which secured Flamengo’s 2–1 comeback victory over River Plate and the club’s first title in the competition since 1981.

After six seasons at the club, Ribas retired from football in November 2022, aged 37.

Statistics for Flamengo:

  • Appearances – 285

  • Goals – 42

  • Assists – 33

  • Titles – 12

Arturo Vidal

  • At Flamengo: 2022–2023

  • Ballon d'Or nominee: 2015 / 2016

Arturo Vidal established himself as one of the greatest Chilean players of all time during the 2010s.

In 2015, he received his first nomination for the ‘Ballon d'Or’ award following a season in which he helped Juventus reach the Champions League final and win Serie A and the Coppa Italia, as well as leading Chile to the Copa América title.

In 2016, he received another nomination – this time after helping Bayern Munich win the Bundesliga, the DFB-Pokal and the DFL-Supercup, as well as winning the Copa América Centenario with Chile.

It would be a few years before he returned to South America, but when he did, his destination was not his native Chile, but Brazil – to play for Flamengo.

Vidal joined the Rubro-Negro in July 2022 and stayed at the club for a year, winning both the Copa Libertadores and the Copa do Brasil during his time there.

He then moved to Athletico Paranaense and has since returned to Colo-Colo, the club closest to his heart.

Statistics for Flamengo:

  • Matches – 51

  • Goals – 2

  • Assists – 3

  • Titles - 2

Jorginho

  • At Flamengo: 2025–present

  • Ballon d'Or nominee: 2021

Jorginho is the only player on this list who is currently at Flamengo.

The Italian-Brazilian midfielder joined the club from Arsenal in June 2025, on the eve of that year’s FIFA Club World Cup.

Since then, he has been a key figure during a highly successful period for the Rio de Janeiro-based club, winning five titles – including the 2025 Brazilian Série A and the Copa Libertadores.

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Jorginho also played a part in Flamengo’s nomination for the Men’s Club of the Season award in 2026, but his only nomination for the ‘Ballon d'Or’ came in 2021.

That year, he finished third in the rankings, following a season in which he excelled for both club and country: with Chelsea, he won the Champions League, the Club World Cup and the UEFA Super Cup; with Italy, he won the European Championship.

In that famous Euro victory, Jorginho was the maestro of the Azzurri’s midfield and broke several records, including the record for the most interceptions in a single edition of the tournament.

Statistics for Flamengo (up to September 2026):

  • Appearances – 63

  • Goals – 8

  • Assists – 5

  • Titles – 5

As well as the players

There are two other names we need to mention on this list: nominees for the ‘Ballon d'Or’ award who never played for Flamengo, but who, at some point, managed the club.

Firstly, there is Rogério Ceni. The São Paulo legend received his only nomination for the ‘Ballon d'Or’ award in 2007 and is best remembered for scoring over 100 goals for the club despite being a goalkeeper, winning several titles in the process. He managed Flamengo between 2020 and 2021 and won three titles with the club, including the Brazilian Championship Série A.

Statistics for Flamengo:

  • Matches – 49

  • Record – 28 wins, 9 draws, 12 defeats

  • Titles – 3

Next up is Paulo Sousa. The Portuguese midfielder rose to international prominence in the 1990s through his performances for Juventus and Borussia Dortmund, earning nominations for the ‘Ballon d'Or’ award in 1995 and 1997, respectively. He managed Flamengo for just a few months in the first half of 2022 and did not win any titles with the club.

Statistics for Flamengo:

  • Matches – 32

  • Record – 19 wins, 6 draws, 7 defeats

  • Titles – 0

A legacy that lives on

So, that’s it – these are all the players who have been nominated for the ‘Ballon d'Or’ and who, at some point in their careers, played for Rubro-Negro.

With Flamengo nominated for Men’s Club of the Season at this year’s ceremony, will the Rio de Janeiro club continue to build on its legacy at the ‘Ballon d'Or’?

On 26 October, in London, we’ll find out.