2005 Ballon d'Or: Ronaldinho's Golden Triumph
The Ballon d'Or (French for 'Golden Ball') stands as one of the most prestigious individual honors in world football. Awarded to the best player in Europe as judged by a panel of sports journalists from UEFA member countries, the 2005 edition celebrated a year of extraordinary skill and creativity on the pitch.
On 28 November 2005, in Paris, France, the award was presented by France Football. The recipient of the trophy was the Brazilian midfield maestro, Ronaldinho, marking his first time winning the award.
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Key Facts
- Winner: Ronaldinho (Brazil), playing for Barcelona.
- Date of Award: 28 November 2005.
- Location: Paris, France.
- Brazilian Legacy: Ronaldinho became the third Brazilian to win the award, following Rivaldo (1999) and Ronaldo.
- Top Defender: Paolo Maldini (Italy) ranked 6th.
- Top Forward: Thierry Henry (France) ranked 4th.
The Selection Process and Voting
The journey to the final trophy began on 24 October 2005, when France Football experts announced a shortlist of 50 male players. The final decision rested with 52 voters representing a vast array of UEFA member nations, including Albania, England, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and Ukraine, among others.
The voting system was based on a weighted point scale. Each voter selected five players, with points distributed as follows:
- 1st choice: 5 points
- 2nd choice: 4 points
- 3rd choice: 3 points
- 4th choice: 2 points
- 5th choice: 1 point
Final Rankings and Results
Ronaldinho dominated the voting with 225 total points, securing 33 first-place votes. He was followed closely by English midfielders Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard, who took second and third place respectively.
| Rank | Player | Nationality | Club | Total Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ronaldinho | Brazil | Barcelona | 225 |
| 2 | Frank Lampard | England | Chelsea | 148 |
| 3 | Steven Gerrard | England | Liverpool | 142 |
| 4 | Thierry Henry | France | Arsenal | 41 |
| 5 | Andriy Shevchenko | Ukraine | Milan | 33 |
| 6 | Paolo Maldini | Italy | Milan | 23 |
| 7 | Adriano | Brazil | Internazionale | 22 |
| 8 | Zlatan Ibrahimović | Sweden | Juventus | 21 |
| 9 | Kaká | Brazil | Milan | 19 |
| 10 | Samuel Eto'o | Cameroon | Barcelona | 18 |
Notable Mentions and Non-Voted Players
While the top 10 featured a mix of midfielders and forwards, several world-class players appeared further down the list, including Zinedine Zidane (18th) and Gianluigi Buffon (19th). Interestingly, a young Cristiano Ronaldo placed 21st.
Despite being included in the initial 50-man shortlist, 26 players received no votes. This list included legendary names such as David Beckham, Raúl, Roberto Carlos, and Ruud van Nistelrooy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the 2005 Ballon d'Or?
The 2005 Ballon d'Or was won by the Brazilian midfielder Ronaldinho, who played for Barcelona at the time.
How many Brazilians had won the award by 2005?
Ronaldinho was the third Brazilian to win the award, following in the footsteps of Rivaldo (1999) and Ronaldo.
Who were the highest-ranked defender and forward in 2005?
The highest-ranked defender was Paolo Maldini of Italy, who finished 6th. The highest-ranked forward was Thierry Henry of France, who finished 4th.
How was the winner determined?
The winner was determined by a panel of 52 sports journalists from UEFA member countries. They each voted for five players, with the first-place choice receiving 5 points and the fifth-place choice receiving 1 point.
Which English players performed well in the 2005 rankings?
England had a strong showing with Frank Lampard finishing 2nd and Steven Gerrard finishing 3rd.