Stanley Matthews’ professional career was unique ... In 1956, Matthews made history as the inaugural winner of the Ballon d’Or, awarded by France Football to the best player in Europe.

Bobby Charlton From Stanley Matthews to Steven Gerrard, here's every English player to make the top three of the Ballon d'Or ...

Created by the prestigious France Football outlet in 1956, the Ballon d’Or is generally regarded as soccer’s most prestigious award. Blackpool and England’s Stanley Matthews was its first ...

However, individuals can take home awards as well. In football, no individual award carries more cache than the Ballon d’Or. It’s been handed out every year since 1956 and most of the best to ...