Introduction to Germany’s Ballon d’Or Drought
Almost 30 years have passed since a German footballer won the Ballon d’Or, the most prestigious award in the sport. In 1996, Matthias Sammer was awarded the trophy for his country after a European championship victory and just a few months before he won the Champions League with his club Borussia Dortmund. Before Sammer, German soccer players had significant Ballon d’Or success, especially in the 1970s and early 80s. The legends Gerd Müller, Franz Beckenbauer, and Karl-Heinz won the award, the latter two even winning it twice.
Recent Success of German Teams
In the past few decades, German teams and their players have managed to stay at the top of world football. Bayern Munich have won the Champions League three times, while Germany won the 2014 FIFA World Cup. Players like Manuel Neuer, Toni Kroos, and Thomas Müller were all instrumental in the success of their respective clubs. However, the coveted Ballon d’Or has remained elusive for German footballers. The question is why this is the case.
Lack of Elite Attackers
For almost 30 years, the Ballon d’Or has preferred almost exclusively striking and attacking players. All but three winners since Sammer have been strikers or attacking players, with the most recent exception to the rule being the Spanish defensive midfielder Rodri in 2024. The unfortunate reality for Germany is that they have not managed to keep up with other nations or even their own history in producing first-class attackers. When the country failed to advance beyond the group phases in two consecutive World Cups, a lack of elite attack performance may have been one of the largest factors.
The Ronaldo and Messi Era
The biggest hurdle for players of all nationalities during this time was indeed Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. The duo dominated the field, and that was reflected in the Ballon d’Or. From Ronaldo’s first victory in 2008 to Messi’s victory in 2023, every year but two saw the Ballon d’Or awarded to these prolific footballers. When the Croatian midfielder Luka Modric broke the 10-year streak in 2018, it initially seemed to signal that the era was over. But immediately afterwards, Messi won the next two years in a row and again in 2023.
Can Germany Turn It Around?
In the past two years, neither Messi nor Ronaldo has been in the running for the Ballon d’Or. A new era can really arrive now, and that makes it the perfect opportunity for Germany. Two of the most exciting German players are currently Jamal Musiala from Bayern Munich and Liverpool’s Florian Wirtz. Both are only 22 years old, play in attack positions, and are regular participants in the Champions League. If Musiala can return to the form that he showed before his injury and Wirtz can quickly find his footing in the Premier League, there is a real chance that Germany will soon have a Ballon d’Or winner for the first time in two generations.
