This article is about the list of top 10 youngest Ballon d’Or nominees of all times, featuring players who have taken football so personally and attained global recognition for their effort and passion: Ronaldo Nazário – 24 years old, Kylian Mbappé – 23 years old, Andriy Shevchenko – 23 years old, Cristiano Ronaldo – 23 years old, Oleg Blokhin – 23 years old

Top 10 Youngest Ballon d’Or Nominees of All Time

Since 1956, the Ballon d'Or Award has been an annual football award presented by a French magazine to honor the football player with an overall outstanding performance in the previous season. Football is a globally recognized sport, with over one hundred and thirty thousand professional players. Around the world, there are over a thousand football clubs, and as such, it is clearly not an easy feat for a player to stand out, unless he is a spectacular player.

The Ballon d’Or award is mostly won by players in their early thirties or those with long years of hard work and experience on and off the pitch. However, history has shown that some players have also been able to break the record, and that brings us to this article on the list of the world's most outstanding top 10 youngest Ballon d’Or nominees to date.

Importantly, regardless of the age of a player when they get nominated for the Ballon d’Or, every nominee deserves their accolades and honor. However, the youngest Ballon d’Or nominee's loud message is that success comes if there is discipline. Some players' nominations pushed them on the world map and signalled the start of a bright career with the right investment and manager. Below is a ranked listing of the youngest Ballon d’Or nominees, why they got nominated, and their age.

Ranked from 10 to 1, here are the youngest Ballon d’Or nominees. 

10. Ronaldo Nazário – 24 years old

9. Kylian Mbappé – 23 years old

8. Andriy Shevchenko – 23 years old

7. Cristiano Ronaldo – 23 years old

6. Oleg Blokhin – 23 years old

5. George Best – 22 years old

4. Lionel Messi – 22 years old

3. Michael Owen – 22 years old

2. Ronaldo Nazário – 21 years old

1. Lamine Yamal – 18 years old

The Youngest Ballon d’Or Nominees of All Time

10. Ronaldo Nazário – 24 years old

Ronaldo Nazario was born into a humble home, and he began playing football at Cruzeiro. He began professional gaming at the age of 17 when signed by PSV. Ronaldo got nominated for the Ballon d’Or twice, and the second one was when he was 24 years old. He was recognized as being a fast-paced footballer, with shots faster than wheels. His nomination was a spark for him to continue to play outstandingly. 

In 1997, he won his first Ballon d’Or award, and in 2002, he won the second one, making him a legend of his time. His morale was an added energy boost for his teammates. His nomination, which seemed to have come so early, as of that time, was a testament that hard work is truly rewarding, pushing him up the ranks of players most talked about. Today, he is one of the richest retired footballers.

9. Kylian Mbappé – 23 years old

Kylian Mbappé Lottin is a French professional footballer. He captains the French national team and is also a forward player for La Liga club Real Madrid. Mbappé's name came into the limelight from the blue for his outstanding performance, speed, and shots on target accuracy. The real madrid superstar attained 400 career goals at the age of 26 years. He was one of the youngest Ballon d’Or nominees at the age of 23.

Although he finished in third place, he won the 2022 Best FIFA Men's Player award. His early rise was not just based on hard work, it was also based on his gifted speed, as some referred to him in football as Usain Bolt. From all indications, he is not relaxing, because he is currently the leading goal scorer in the 2025–26 UEFA Champions League with nine goals already.

8. Andriy Shevchenko – 23 years old

Shevchenko can not be skipped when listing the youngest players who attained the Ballon d’Or nomination. He started playing football at the age of nine. Born for the game, he joined the Dynamo Kyiv sports school system in 1986 and in 1990, his Dynamo Kyiv under-14 team won the Ian Rush Cup in Wales. Herein, Shevchenko was the tournament's top goal scorer and was awarded a pair of boots. At the age of 23, he emerged as a powerful force in the football world and got nominated for the Ballon D’or. 

Andriy Shevchenko is considered as one of the greatest strikers in football, and one of the best players ever from Ukraine, referencing his all-time goals for Ukraine national team with 48 goals. He stood out outstandingly because he led his team on the pitch with courage and tactics against other opponents. His consistency gave him all the recognition he duly deserved.

7. Cristiano Ronaldo – 23 years old

The name Cristiano Ronaldo has become a household name among rising stars and football lovers across the globe. His story of humble beginnings serves as a motivation to many. He began his career at the local CF Andorinha Club, then moved on to CD Nacional before playing outstandingly for Sporting CP’s Academy in 1997. In 2002, he was playing for Sporting, and by 2003, he was playing for Manchester United by 2003. At 23, he got nominated for the Ballon d’Or Award.

From the point of his nomination for the Ballon d’Or, Ronaldo is now a winner of five Ballon d’Or awards for the years 2008, 2013, 2014, 2016, and 2017. Also, in 2024 he became the first men's player to score 900 career goals. As he always says, discipline is the key to success. Ronaldo has proceeded to continue inspiring future generations that hard work and consistency are surely rewarding.

6. Oleg Blokhin – 23 years

Blokhim's nomination for the Ballon d’Or came in when he was 23 years old, a time when his performance was redefining football in Eastern Europe. His presence on the field was trouble, because the speed that pierced through the defense line was a blade. Before standing out notably, Oleg Blokhin started playing for Dynamo Kyiv at their junior team in 1962, and by 1969, he was in the senior team.

His skills and goal style made him highly sought after. He rose to fame so soon and led Dynamo Kyiv to winning eight Soviet League titles. As of 1970, he was one of the world’s top players, leading him to win the Ballon d'Or in 1975. However, his career, early recognition, and awards are an affirmation that he truly did put his best into all his games. 

5. George Best – 22 years old

At age 15, George Best was spotted by Bob Bishop, a Manchester United scout, and at age 17, in the year 1963 he made his first debut at Old Trafford. Furthermore, as of his second appearance, he scored his first goal in a 5-1 win against Burnley. After leaving his mark in the eyes of spectators and fans, he got nominated for the Ballon d’Or. His playing pattern was so unpredictable, and that made him unstoppable in the pitch as he made past defenses to put the ball in the net.

His early Ballon d’Or recognition at the age of 22 goes on to show how much hard work, dedication and passion he put into the game. At an era where most players were still uncertain of where to play and whom to play for, he was not just playing; he was winning and putting his name in the sand of times for future generations.

4. Lionel Messi – 22 years old

This time, we are not only talking about Lionel Messi as the youngest Ballon d’Or nominee but also as the winner of the most Ballon d’Or awards. Messi is an Argentine professional footballer and captains both Major League Soccer club Inter Miami and the Argentina national team. At the age of 13, he moved to Barcelona, Spain to join the Youth Academy of FC Barca. 

3. Michael Owen – 22 years old

Michael Owen is an English former professional footballer who played exceptionally during his prime. He played as a striker for Liverpool, Real Madrid, Newcastle United, Manchester United, and Stoke City, as well as the England national team. Michael Owen was nominated at the age of 22 for the Ballon d’Or after demonstrating exceptional excellence. 

2. Ronaldo Nazário – 21 years old

Ronaldo's second appearance on this list of  top 10 youngest Ballon d’Or nominees shows the impact and effort he put into football in his prime. At age 21, when some were still looking for a club, having only a few football appearances, he was already a scoring machine, threatening defense lines and goalkeepers' gloves. During his career, he won the title of the  FIFA World Player of the Year award twice before turning 21. 

Additionally, at the age of 21, he had won a World Cup, a Copa América, and a Confederations Cup with Brazil. It did not just stop there; he also won some European club trophies like the Dutch Cup, Spanish Cup, UEFA Cup Winners' Cup, and UEFA Cup.

1. Lamine Yamal – 18 years old

Lamine Yamal (born 13 July 2007) is a Spanish professional footballer. At the age of 7, he joined the local club, CF La Torreta, and from there proceeded to FC Barcelona’s La Masia academy. With his speed and dribbling prowess, he swiftly advanced through the youth ranks and made his debut in April 2023 in Barcelona. At 15 years and 9 months old, he became the club's youngest player to make his debut. 

At only 18 years old, Lamine Yamal became the youngest Ballon d’Or nominee. This was not luck or magic; it was dedication, consistency, and passion. An assurance that age is no limitation for growth.

Why Are the Youngest Ballon d’Or Nominees So Significant?

The recognition of the youngest Ballon d’Or Nominees is more than just a title; it is a recognition for a player's hard work, consistency, and exceptional skillset. This nomination boosts the morale of players, their team, and fans at large and builds the passion for the game. 

It  is a key to motivating them to continue pushing hard, because all efforts are acknowledged. It shows you do not have to wait until you are in your late twenties to take up bigger tasks; start now. 

For many players, the recognition is a pathway for bigger brands to recognize them, make them ambassadors, afford them the most expensive cars and grow their portfolio. No record is too big to be broken, no mind is too small to think of anything, and achievements are not luck but the result of consistent hard work.