The Ballon d'Or is the pinnacle of individual achievement in football, but the history of those who finished second is just as compelling. Often called the "Silver" winners, these are the legends who stood on the verge of immortality, frequently separated from the winner by the narrowest of voting margins.
Our quiz challenges you to recall the runners-up across every era of the award. From the early days of Stanley Matthews and Alfredo Di Stéfano to the unprecedented rivalry between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, where finishing second was still a mark of being better than almost everyone in history. Can you name the greats like Thierry Henry, Franco Baresi, or Roberto Carlos who claimed the second spot?
Explore the years of controversy and tight races. Do you remember who pushed Luka Modric to the limit in 2018? Or the historic 2010 podium where three Barcelona players fought for the top? It’s a journey through the evolution of the global game, celebrating the elite few who defined their generations. Play in Year-by-Year mode to trace the history or Training mode to study the greats.
Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi have finished second multiple times, highlighting their consistent excellence at the top level for nearly two decades.
Virgil van Dijk (2019) and Roberto Carlos (2002) both famously finished second, nearly breaking the trend of attacking players winning the award.
Yes, Thierry Henry famously finished second in 2003, losing out to Pavel Nedvěd in a result that remains highly debated by football fans today.
You can guess the runners-up in chronological order in Year-by-Year mode or focus on specific decades in Training mode. For a harder test, try 'Tension' mode!
Yes, we update the Champions90 records as soon as the official podium is announced each year by France Football.